Chandigarh, Apr 20: Liver is a vital organ which aids digestion, immunity and several other metabolic functions in the human body. To spread awareness about liver and the associated ailments , World Liver Day is observed on 19th April every year. The theme for this year’s World Liver Day is “Solid Habits, Strong Liver,” implying on how a healthy lifestyle and good eating habits can prevent liver disease.
To spread awareness on liver and its associated disorders, Dr Arvind Sahni, Director, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fortis Hospital Mohali, explains the common symptoms, management and prevention of Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
What is MASLD?
MASLD or non–alcoholic fatty liver disease is becoming the fastest growing cause for chronic liver disease, causing liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. “Fatty liver disease has overtaken viral Hepatitis B and hepatitis C as the causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MASLD is commonly associated with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and obesity. About one in four diabetic patients have liver fibrosis which is a precursor to liver cirrhosis. Established liver cirrhosis has been diagnosed in one in 20 diabetic patients. MASLD also occurs among lean patients (non-obese persons),” added Dr Sahni.
Warning Signs
Stating that usually symptoms of liver disease surfaced in the advanced stage, Dr Sahni said, “Most common signs include jaundice, abdominal distension due to fluid (ascites), vomiting blood or passage of black stools, pedal edema, pruritus, confusion, drowsiness, anaemia, generalized weakness and muscle wasting.”
Diagnosis
The most common tests to diagnose liver disease include liver function test (LFT), coagulogram, complete blood count, liver tumour marker like alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), USG of abdomen, liver fibroscan, abdominal CT and MRI scan.
Prevention
Shedding light on ways to prevent liver disease, Dr Sahni, added, “Preventive measures such as lifestyle changes, management of diabetes and obesity, physical activity about five days a week (both aerobic and resistant exercise) for 45 minutes and burning about 400 calories daily, abstaining from alcohol consumption, smoking and eating a Mediterranean-type diet.”
Health Tips
· Avoid fast food & sweetened beverages
· Coffee consumption helps decrease liver fibrosis
· Regular preventive liver health check-up, specially in patients with diabetes and obesity
· Three doses of vaccine of Hepatitis B and E is strongly recommended in patients with fatty liver and advanced liver fibrosis.
New drugs in MASLD
Dr Sahni said a new drug, GLP 1 agonist (glucagon-like peptide) helped in the management of liver disease. “Treatment includes weekly injection of semaglutide and tirzepatide. Oral GLP1 agonist like orforglipron have been used to treat fatty liver. Resmetirom is a novel thyroid hormone agonist which is useful to decrease liver fibrosis without causing any significant weight loss. In the end-stage liver disease, a liver transplant may be needed.”
