The screening program aims to identify cases of metabolic liver disease using non-invasive methods.
Metabolic liver disease is a liver disease that poses a challenge to health services. Patients suffering from it—typically people with obesity or type 2 diabetes—suffer from higher morbidity and mortality from both hepatic and cardiovascular causes, and treating them appropriately is challenging. This is a pathology that usually does not cause symptoms, but can cause serious health problems.
According to Dr. Javier Escaladadirector Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition from the Hospital of the University of Navarra”Liver biopsy is currently the standard method for diagnosing and staging this disease. However, it is necessary to opt for other methods that are less invasive and expensive.“
In this spirit, the Clinic of the University of Navarra developed a screening program based on blood analytical tests that take into account biochemical markers. The goal is to exclude or establish a reasonable suspicion of the presence of liver fibrosis, one of the main consequences of this disease, in patients with high scores. If this were the case, affected people would be tested using FibroScan, a device that uses non-invasive diagnostic technology using low-frequency vibration and ultrasound. If suspicion remains, the patient will be referred to a hepatologist.
The prevalence of metabolic liver disease in the general population is 25%. In people with diabetes and obesity, it increases to 70% and 90%, respectively. Fortunately, the prevalence of fibrosis is lower, although at 25%, so early diagnosis can help these patients. “It is necessary that we all understand the need to monitor liver health, especially in patients with underlying medical conditions. Therefore, more screening protocols need to be implemented,” says Dr. Escalada.
The Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN) awarded the research project led by Dr. Carolina Perdomoclinic endocrinologist, which evaluates body fat accumulation associated with metabolic liver disease. In addition, the genetic influence, in particular the influence of the c.444C>G variant of the PNPLA3 gene, involved in the storage and decomposition of fats in the liver, on the development of this pathology will be analyzed.
The research team will have funding from this society. conduct tests on patients participating in the study to verify the prevalence of fibrosis in metabolic liver diseases in different clinical scenarios. Dr. Perdomo assured that “evidence suggests that metabolic liver disease should be considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and possibly other diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to advance research in this area in order to offer our patients better treatment options.”