IN MY radiology practice, ultrasound is the most common screening diagnostic imaging for “Fatty liver”. Many young professionals are eventually referred by their Attending physicians for an ultrasound due to an increase in SGPT.
What is fatty liver?
Fatty liver is when there is a build-up of fat in the liver, eventually causing scarring or fibrosis.
There are two types of fatty liver, one is what we are familiar of, the Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and the other type is the Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) or previously termed as the Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
In recent studies, MAFLD is now called the silent disease among Filipino individuals from 30-40 years old. It was found out that a risk factor for having MALFD is having two or three factors of a metabolic syndrome such as hypertension (high blood pressure), Diabetes Tye 2 ( high blood sugar), obesity, increased waist line, and high cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
An actual study done and was featured in the World Journal of Gastroenterology shows that from 1999 to 2004, in a sample number of 1,102 patients in the Philippine General Hospital, 134 patients had fatty liver and was connected to what was then called Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Recent articles now say that approximately 18 million Filipinos have fatty liver.
In fact, in my private practice as a radiologist, it is common for me to see fatty liver and report in the clinical impression.
To some first timers, they take this report of having fatty liver as a death sentence, also probably as a shock. Most of them are not obese. Some follow-ups with me, patients would say, “Kamusta, Doc? Fatty liver pa ba?”
Do not fret! Gastroenterologists say that nine out of 10 cases of fatty liver is still reversible – meaning you can still revert your liver to its normal state. By doing lifestyle changes such as having a healthy diet and an active lifestyle, your fatty liver may be reversed.
We are also fortunate that in Iloilo City, we have many facilities which may address fatty liver. Your attending physician or gastroenterologist may refer you for a screening ultrasound. An ultrasound-guided Liver Elastography or a Fibroscan depends on what is most apt for your needs.
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Dr. Candice Magdalane A. Tupas is a former three-termer City Councilor and presently the Executive Assistant to Mayor Raisa Trenas for Medical Tourism and Other Health Initiatives. She is a practicing Radiologist, a wife to former City Councilor Lex Tupas, and mother to Alexa, Lextom, Lexie and Alexander./PN
