Abu Dhabi: Nearly 30 per cent of the UAE’s adult population could be suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition that is closely linked to diabetes and metabolic syndrome, medical professionals have warned.
And, without proper care, the disease could significantly increase patients’ risk of developing cardiovascular complications and liver damage.
“The liver is a miraculously resilient organ that has the capacity to regenerate itself from one-fifth of its mass. But when more than five to 10 per cent of this mass becomes composed of fat, we put it at serious risk of damage in the long run,” said Dr Farhana Lootah, internal medicine specialist at Imperial College London Diabetes Centre in Abu Dhabi.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease refers to an accumulation of fat in the liver of an individual who consumes little or no alcohol. While this often doesn’t cause outward symptoms, patients run the risk of developing insulin resistance, liver inflammation and scarring, and even liver failure over time.
The disease is more common among those who are overweight, diabetic or suffering from high levels of cholesterol. It is also more often seen among men who are middle-aged or older.
While recent studies have posited that about 10 per cent of the population in the Gulf has fatty liver disease, the true prevalence could be underestimated as most patients do not show symptoms at the start, like fatigue and pain in the upper abdomen.
“In fact, most ultrasounds do not pick up on fatty livers unless 30 per cent of the organ’s mass is made up of fat. And it is likely that prevalence rates in the UAE are similar to the United States’ prevalence of 20 to 30 per cent of the adult population,” Dr Lootah said.
“What is worrying is that 46 per cent of obese people and 53 per cent of all Type 2 diabetics have fatty liver disease,” she added.
In the UAE, both diabetes and obesity are highly prevalent among the population. Latest statistics show that 19.3 per cent of the adult population is diabetic, and about half of all UAE residents are overweight.
“Once an individual develops fatty liver disease, they are likely to become resistant to insulin, which puts them at even higher risk of becoming diabetic if they are not so already,” said Dr Anna Burratic, endocrinology and internal medicine consultant at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi.
While about 15 per cent of those with fatty liver disease go on to suffer from liver cancer, the majority of patients actually develop pressing heart and vascular conditions first.
And even though it sounds predictable, living a healthy, active lifestyle is actually the key to protecting oneself from fatty liver disease and its co-morbidities. In fact, regular exercise can also help patients reduce the amount of fat in their liver, and improve their body’s ability to control blood glucose levels by reducing insulin resistance. It is also best to avoid consuming alcohol, doctors said.
“The liver is our body’s centre for eliminating toxins, including those from taking medication and, as we get older, we need it to function well so that we can stay healthy. Staying active is therefore very important,” Dr Burratin recommended.
“And if fatty liver disease is diagnosed, it is best to be aggressive in treating it,” she added.
