The frame can cause chronic inflammation and liver tissue damage; Without treatment, fatty liver can further develop into cirrhosis or even cancer.
AGÊNCIA EINSTEIN – A study conducted by researchers at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), in collaboration with scientists at the University of São Paulo (USP) and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), concluded that Brazilian adults with fatty liver disease, commonly called fat inside liverthey have a 30% greater risk of developing it diabetes type 2.
The findings are based on the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) study, which evaluated 8,166 adults (public officials or retirees), aged between 35 and 74, from six Brazilian capitals. The volunteers were followed up for approximately 3.8 years. Participants with baseline diabetes, those reporting excessive alcohol consumption with hepatitis or cirrhosis were excluded. The results were published in Cadernos de Saúde Pública.
Fatty liver disease is the buildup of fat in the liver that can, over time, cause chronic inflammation and damage to liver tissue. It is usually a benign situation, but if left untreated and in its evolution it can induce liver fibrosis (replacement of normal liver cells with fibrous tissue) and even progress to cirrhosis, including an increased risk of cancer. It is estimated that the problem affects at least 25% of the adult population – in the sample evaluated steatosis was present in 35.5% of the volunteers.
According to hepatologist Bianca Della Guardia, coordinator of the medical assistance group for liver diseases at the Israelita Albert Einstein Hospital, this type of study is very important because in Brazil we do not have many studies evaluating the incidence and prevalence of the disease in our population. “We have imagined a higher incidence of fatty liver disease in Brazil due to genetic problems that may be related. But this number is worrying because when we talk about non-alcoholic fatty liver disease we are making a direct association with metabolic syndrome,” Della Guardia highlighted.
Abdominal ultrasound was the test used to detect fatty liver disease, but the diagnosis can also be made by other imaging tests, such as tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as liver biopsy. In the follow-up period, the incidence of diabetes was 5.25% in the whole group of participants, being 7.83% among people with fatty liver disease and 3.88% in those without fatty liver disease. This means a 30% increased risk of developing diabetes.
How is the diagnosis?
According to the hepatologist, the ultrasound it is the first test that will indicate the presence of liver fat. However, when the problem is identified, more tests should be performed. “Ultrasound is a sensitive test, but we need to understand if this patient has liver fibrosis, which is scarring of the liver, as well as fat. It is this fibrosis that will determine the medium- to long-term prognosis. If fat is identified on ultrasound, this patient needs to be investigated further,” he warned.
Fatty liver disease is a silent disease and therefore it is dangerous. According to the doctor, in general, the liver usually shows no symptoms of problems when they are still in their infancy, and steatosis is no different. “There are no specific signs for the disease. The patient will have symptoms when the disease is in a chronic situation, when the liver starts showing signs of failure. Generally, these are symptoms that appear at a later stage of the disease, which is all we need to avoid,” he said.
So once you find the problem, you need to deal with it immediately. “It is very important to treat this inflammation early to avoid progression to more severe liver failure. physical exercise it is essential for the reduction of visceral fat. If we treat excess fat (adiposity), we can stop the evolution of this inflammation,” explained endocrinologist Clayton Macedo, who coordinates the Exercise and Sport Endocrinology Center at the Albert Einstein Hospital of Israel and the Sports Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic at the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp).
Macedo pointed out that the individuals evaluated had increased waist circumference (which is also a risk factor for diabetes), were more obese, had more dyslipidemia and more hypertension. “All of these are important risk factors for the development of diabetes. Those with steatosis probably have multiple mechanisms of insulin resistance, sometimes even alterations of other risk factors, which coexist in the scenario of predisposition to diabetes,” he reflected.
According to the endocrinologist, these results are fundamental for the development of specific health policies for this audience, for planning strategies for the prevention and treatment of fatty liver disease. Macedo also explains that there are some drugs that can improve the accumulation of fat in the liver, but none of them are indicated on the package insert, all used off-label.
diet and exercise
“Today the standard indicated treatment is diet and exercise. The drugs used treat the underlying diseases [diabetes, obesidade, colesterol] and end up improving, as a result, fatty liver disease. The recommendation is to treat comorbidities, combined with a healthy lifestyle with physical activity and healthy eating”, highlighted the endocrinologist.
Macedo also reiterated that medicine is currently working with the concept of MASH (metabolic steatohepatitis – metabolic steatohepatitis) – before the most used nomenclature was NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis – non-alcoholic steatohepatitis).
“Today science has worked with the MASH concept to demonstrate that metabolic factors and not just alcohol are making the liver sick. Fatty disease can be controlled, going into remission.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
