Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common ‘silent’ condition affecting up to 20% of the UK adult population. Could you be affected by this condition? Having high levels of fat in your liver can lead to serious liver disease such as cirrhosis but a lot of people may not be aware that they are living with it.
We asked Dr Sharon Viner, Clinical Research Physician and lead medic for MAC Clinical Research’s clinical trial for Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), the most severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, to share her insights into the condition and why it’s integral to seek medical attention if you have this condition, are experiencing symptoms, or have risk factors for developing fatty liver disease.
Clinical Research Physician
at MAC Clinical Research
Q: What is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)?
Dr Viner: “NAFLD is a spectrum of liver disease. It is caused by the initial build-up of fat in the liver. It is usually seen in people who have diabetes or are overweight or obese.
“NASH is the more serious form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease which can go on to cause liver fibrosis and potentially hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer. Unfortunately, with the rise in obesity and type 2 diabetes, the prevalence of NAFLD and NASH is increasing.
“20% of adults have a degree of fatty infiltration in the liver, otherwise known as steatosis or non-alcoholic fatty liver, and approximately 20% of these patients go on to develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) – inflammation with developing fibrosis (scarring)1.”
Q: What Causes the Condition?
Dr Viner: “The exact cause of NAFLD is not fully understood; however, it is likely to be associated with metabolic dysfunction such as insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia (a metabolic disorder that stems from abnormal levels of lipids or lipoproteins in the blood), and closely linked with obesity on a background of genetic risk factors. In some cases, it is caused by certain medications.”
Q: How is the Condition Diagnosed?
Dr Viner: “Investigations such as blood tests check for other conditions such as diabetes and can rule out other causes of liver disease. An abdominal ultrasound scan may suggest you have a ‘fatty liver’.
“Your risk of significant fibrosis is then assessed by your GP using a specific scoring system following the results of your blood tests. Depending on your level of risk this will determine whether you will be managed by your GP or referred to a specialist for a liver biopsy.”
Q: Why is Early Detection Important?
Dr Viner: “It’s estimated that an astonishing 80% of people living with NASH are not diagnosed2. This is because patients are usually asymptomatic and only discover they have a fatty liver whilst having tests for a different reason.
“Without symptoms and with no simple single test to confirm the diagnosis – it is considered a silent disease. Therefore, you may not be tested or discover you have the condition until it is too late to reverse some of the liver damage.”
Q: How are NAFLD and NASH treated?
Dr Viner: “The main treatment for both NAFLD and NASH are making changes to your lifestyle, such as eating a healthy diet, losing weight if you are overweight and managing any cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and dyslipidaemia.
“There are currently no European/UK licensed medications for the treatment of NAFLD or NASH and further research is vitally important to develop new treatments through clinical trials.”
MAC Clinical Research is looking for people with NASH, or those who have risk factors for developing the condition such as being overweight with either type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or high triglycerides who may be eligible for our NASH clinical trial.
You do not need a diagnosis of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) to register for this trial. Check for fatty liver disease at MAC. All study-related assessments and medications will be provided free of charge.
If eligible, you may receive up to £2490 and all study related assessments and medications will be provided free of charge.
For more information, visit MAC Clinical Research’s research page.
1 Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology – Secondary causes of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
2 The European Journal of Health Economics – Disease burden and economic impact of diagnosed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2018
