Rise in fatty liver cases seen in city

Mangaluru: Doctors in the city are witness to a rise of fatty liver cases, especially disproportionate increase in non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD), more than alcohol-related fatty liver.
On the sidelines of the World Liver Day observed on April 19, Dr Anurag Shetty, medical gastroenterologist, KMC Hospital, said that in recent years, one out of every three patients in gastroenterology OPD have fatty liver. “On an average we see about 150 new cases per month. NAFLD is strongly associated with obesity, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. As the rates of obesity, and diabetes have been on the rise in recent years, prevalence of NAFLD has also seen a significant increase,” he said. Fatty liver is a condition wherein fat accumulates within the liver cells. It is usually identified with blood tests and ultrasound scans. Fatty liver may be of two types alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
Dr Shetty said the reason for an increase in the cases is diet that is consuming food that is rich in calories, refined flour (pizza, pasta, burgers), sugars (fizzy drinks, sweets) and fat (cheese, oil, butter, ghee) supported by a sedentary lifestyle. Most youngsters nowadays are employed in desk jobs where the main work is on a desktop with little scope for physical activity. This has become more prevalent after the onset of work from home.
“Alcohol related fatty liver is also increasing, but at a slower pace when compared to NAFLD. Fatty liver produces no symptoms and are increasingly being diagnosed in youngsters nowadays during medical checkups prior to joining/changing jobs or going abroad. It is a progressive disease which can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, if proper medical care is not taken at the correct time,” Dr Shetty said.
Dr Raghavendra Prasada KV, consultant medical gastroentrologist at AJ Hospital and Research Centre said NAFLD or fatty liver has emerged as a global public health problem. It is seen in 1/3rd of the Indian population. “On an average I see about five patients of NAFLD everyday in OPD,” he said.