Ultrasound imaging critical for early detection of fatty liver disease

finds Apollo Hospitals in an analysis of 53,946 health checks over the past year

Apollo Hospitals recently identified an intervention in fatty liver diagnosis in India. Out of over 50,000 people (53,946), who underwent comprehensive preventive health checks at Apollo Hospitals, 33 per cent were diagnosed with fatty liver.

However, among those with fatty liver, only one in three had their liver enzymes elevated, indicating that diagnosis interventions in our healthcare systems need to go beyond just relying on blood tests for early detection and reversal of such conditions in all individuals.

Currently, the diagnosis of fatty liver disease mainly relies on a combination of patient history, physical examination, and blood tests, including liver enzyme levels and markers of liver function. Imaging studies, such as ultrasound and fibro scan, can help visualise the liver and detect fat accumulation even in cases where liver enzyme levels may not show any significant deviation.

Despite this, ultrasound is not always the first choice due to accessibility and perceived necessity based on initial non-imaging assessments. MASLD increases mortality related to liver diseases and cardiovascular, and oncological complications, the statement further said.

Commenting on this, Dr N. Murugan, Senior Consultant Hepatologist & Liver Transplant Physician, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai said, “The lack of timely diagnosis of fatty liver disease (FLD) is a growing concern. Particularly metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), caused by factors other than excessive alcohol use, is increasingly prevalent in India due to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Despite its growing incidence, FLD often goes undiagnosed because it’s largely asymptomatic in early stages and would not necessarily reflect through a LFT blood test.”

Early and accurate detection through imaging techniques like ultrasound could lead to timely interventions, lifestyle modifications, and treatment plans that could significantly improve patient outcomes,” added Dr Akash Roy, Senior Hepatologist at Apollo Hospitals, Kolkata.

Weight reduction is known to be one of the ways to reverse fatty liver in its early stages. Even a 5 per cent to 10 per cent reduction in body weight can significantly reduce liver fat and inflammation.

Dr Sathya Sriram, CEO,said, “With Apollo ProHealth, we are personalising health checks to each person’s risk and our doctors interpret the results for accurate guidance. We have also advocated for integrating ultrasound as a safe and critical component of health checks, recognising its significant clinical benefits for true preventive care.”