Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease is spreading silently
Comprehensive research conducted in the UK and Turkey shows that fatty liver disease, which presents no symptoms in its early stages, has reached dangerous proportions.
Research conducted in the UK and Turkey has revealed that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease is spreading rapidly and poses a serious public health problem because it does not show symptoms in the early period.
Research Results in the UK
In a study where researchers from the Barts Liver Centre in London examined the general practice records of approximately 12 million people, it was determined that 365,797 adults were diagnosed with fatty liver disease.
Experts drew attention to the fact that while the annual number of diagnoses was around 1,300 in 2003, it has recently risen to over 283,000.
Causes of the Disease
According to Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. İbrahim Ertuğrul, behind this increase lies not only the rise in diagnosis rates, but also metabolic problems brought about by the modern lifestyle.
Fatty liver disease occurs as a result of excessive fat accumulation in liver cells and is triggered by factors such as obesity.
Risk Factors and Complications
Obesity, waist fat accumulation, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and high cholesterol are among the primary risk factors for the disease.
When the disease progresses, extremely serious complications such as cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer can emerge.
National Data in Turkey
Stating that MASLD has increasingly become a growing public health problem in Turkey as well, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Ertuğrul drew attention to extensive research conducted in our country.
In a national multicenter study evaluating 14,371 people from 31 cities and 44 centers in Turkey, MASLD was detected in 75.7% of those in the risk group.
Silent Progression and Precautions to Take
One of the most important characteristics of fatty liver disease is that it does not cause any symptoms in most people during the early period.
In early stages, bringing metabolic problems under control through weight loss, regular physical activity, and a balanced diet can halt the process.