Fatty liver, how to improve early detection of this pathology associated with obesity
In health, treatment is just as important as early detection. An early diagnosis can avoid complications and the appearance of other derived diseases. In the case of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), This liver pathology, which in its initial phases occurs without symptoms, can progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis and even liver cancer, and is strongly related to risk factors such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
A study carried out by Chironprevention Based on the analysis of more than 3,000 medical examinations carried out between 2022 and 2023, it concludes that the fatty liver index allows for early identification, during the act of medical examination at work, for people at risk of suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
In the scientific journal of the Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians, this study entitled ‘Indicators and clinical parameters to predict the risk of suffering from hepatic steatosis’ and prepared by doctors Antonio Moreno Villena, Leopoldo Álvarez Martín, Juan Pedro Portell García, José Pablo Robles Ruiz, José Manuel Gómez López and Mónica Madroñero Gaviola.
What is fatty liver and why early detection is important
Fatty liver is caused by an accumulation of fat in hepatocytes without necessarily excessive alcohol consumption without previous liver disease. It is estimated that It affects 25% of the population in Europe, with a similar prevalence in Spain, which makes it an important public health challenge. Although it is an initially silent disease, people with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or metabolic syndrome are at greater risk of suffering from it.
Given that its diagnosis requires, in many cases, a liver biopsy to detect inflammation or damage, the use of non-invasive indicators during medical examination as an effective and sustainable alternative. For this reason, the Quirónprevención study reveals the great potential of Occupational medical examination as a tool for early detection of silent pathologies.
For analysis, medical examinations carried out between 2022 and 2023 on 3,165 workers between 20 and 74 years old were studied. Analytical tests, abdominal ultrasound and the calculation of two clinical indices were included: fatty liver index (FLI by its acronym in English Fatty Liver Index) and hepatic accumulation product (LAP by its acronym in English Liver Accumulation Product). Thus, we sought to determine preventive and predictive biopathological indicators of fatty liver.
Fatty liver affects 25% of the population in Europe, with a similar prevalence in Spain.
Fatty liver does not have a specific treatment, but rather focuses on changes in the patient’s lifestyle: weight loss, adoption of a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol consumption and practicing regular physical exercise. Therefore, Early detection is key to prevent its progression towards more serious complications.
Is early detection of fatty liver effective?
The results of the Quirónprevención study showed that those obtained from FLI presented a strong agreement with the ultrasound findings of hepatic steatosis. On the other hand, the LAP index showed a lower predictive capacity compared to the FLI. Furthermore, a relationship was observed with BMI (Body Mass Index): the higher the weight, the greater the risk of steatosis and FLI alteration.
Therefore, the study concludes that The fatty liver index is a useful, simple and cost-effective tool to be included in occupational medical examinations. Its application allows people at risk to be identified early, facilitating preventive interventions before the disease progresses to more serious phases.
Likewise, it is recommended that, In cases with an altered index, additional tests are considered. such as liver elastography, to evaluate fibrosis, which would improve the ability to prevent it.
“The incorporation of the FLI in occupational medical examinations represents a unique opportunity to intervene before complications appear, especially in a disease as silent as NAFLD,” highlights the Dr. Leopoldo Álvarez Martín, one of the authors of the study. “We are demonstrating that preventive medicine from the work environment can have a real impact on public health.”
The best treatment is also good prevention. Therefore, recommendations include:
- Limit carbohydrate consumption
- Consume fruits and vegetables daily (between 2 and 3 pieces a day)
- Avoid alcohol, ultra-processed foods and unhealthy fats,
- Include foods rich in selenium such as fish
- Perform physical exercise regularly.
“Preventive medicine from the work environment can have a real impact on public health.”
This study highlights the role of medical examination as a key instrument for preventive medicine, especially in diseases that do not present symptoms in their initial phases but that can have serious long-term consequences.
Thus, the publication of this work represents important support for research and reinforces Quirónprevención’s commitment to occupational health as an effective way for the early detection of prevalent chronic diseases, contributing both to the improvement of public health as well as the sustainability of the health system.
