Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre & Madras Diabetes Research Foundation launches Diabetes Liver Clinic

The clinic will focus on the newly recognised ‘Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease’ (MAFLD), endeavouring to halt its progression and even reverse it

On the occasion of ‘World Diabetes Day’ (14^th November, 2023), Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, in collaboration with its research wing Madras Diabetes Research Foundation has announced the launch of Diabetes Liver Clinic, a Centre of Excellence dedicated to the research, prevention, and management of liver complications in individuals with diabetes.

Dr. V. Mohan’s research underscores that over 50 per cent of individuals with type 2 diabetes experience some degree of fatty liver. This sets the stage for ‘Hepatic Insulin Resistance,’ where insulin function in the liver diminishes, leading to elevated glucose release, particularly during fasting, emphasising the interplay between fatty liver and type 2 diabetes. The evolving understanding of this bidirectional relationship highlights the importance of addressing these conditions holistically, marking a shift from a glucose-centric diabetes treatment approach to a broader metabolic care framework, where the liver plays a central role. 

Commenting on the launch, Dr V. Mohan, Chairman of Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation stated ” Today signifies a remarkable advancement in the landscape of diabetes care, as we proudly introduce the novel Diabetes Liver Clinic. The recent findings from the ICMR-INDIAB Study, published in the Lancet Diabetes Endocrinology, have shed light on the escalating prevalence of diabetes in India, with a staggering 101 million individuals affected, and an additional 136 million grappling with prediabetes. While the well-documented complications of diabetes affecting the eyes, kidneys, heart, feet, and nerves are widely acknowledged, the subtle yet critical connection between diabetes and liver health has only gained the emphasis on it merits recently. With our ongoing research, the intricate bidirectional relationship between fatty liver and type 2 diabetes are being constantly monitored. Our shift in commitment with the liver now taking centre stage, lies in addressing this evolving challenge by generating essential data, specifically tailored for the Indian population.”

The clinic will focus on the newly recognised ‘Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease’ (MAFLD), endeavouring to halt its progression and even reverse it. Equipped with advanced diagnostic technology like the Fibroscan, the clinic will not only detect fatty liver but also assess liver fibrosis – a precursor to cirrhosis, which in some cases can be fatal even leading to carcinoma. Topping the list of priorities, the clinic will mainly focus on providing population-based normative data on novel liver function markers in both men and women across different age groups in India.