A new study showed that 62% of the Brazilian population would be very or extremely concerned with the diagnosis of hepatic steatosispopularly known as liver fat. Nevertheless, 61% of respondents have never done or do not know which exams detect this condition.
Data are from a new research conducted by the Datafolha Institute in partnership with the new Nordisk pharmacist. The purpose of the work was to understand Brazilians’ perceptions of, one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases that affects approximately 30% of the world’s population.
Liver fat increases the risk of heart disease and malignant tumors and, if untreated, can bring serious health complications such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. In advanced cases of the disease, transplantation can become a necessity.
“The discrepancy in the data reveals an alarming gap between knowledge about risks and lack
Preventive action ”, comments Priscila Mattar, endocrinologist and vice president of the new Nordisk medical field in Brazil.“ The research plays light on the challenges faced by the Brazilian population in relation to chronic diseases, reinforcing the importance of broadening knowledge and making any level of fat in the liver is already a warning signal for health. ”
What is liver steatosis?
Liver steatosis, or liver fat, is a condition characterized by infiltration of fat cells into liver cells. Causes for the disease include excessive alcohol consumption and risk factors such as overweight, physical inactivity, diabetes, poor diet, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, use of certain medications and chronic inflammation in the liver, according to the Ministry of Health.
In light paintings, liver steatosis does not cause symptoms, but in intermediate cases it is possible to generate pain in the abdomen, tiredness, weakness, loss of appetite, liver increase, belly swelling and constant headache. In the most advanced stages, characterized by inflammation and fibrosis, there may be more serious symptoms such as mental confusion, bleeding, drop in blood platelets, jaundice (skin and yellowish eyes), sleep changes, coagulation changes and swelling in the lower limbs.
The study of Datafolha showed that among the most cited risk factors for the disease as contributing factors for the disease are overweight (58%) and alcohol consumption (46%).
The work also revealed that 66% of Brazilians have overweight or obesity, an increase of 11% over the previous year, based on body mass index () calculated from the responses on weight and height informed by the participants. In addition, more than half of the population claimed to consume alcohol (55%). The percentage is higher among those who have overweight or obesity (57%).
“Obesity itself is already one of the main risk factors for the accumulation of fat in the liver. When combined with excessive alcohol consumption, the condition significantly increases the risk of not only developing fat in the liver, but also other serious liver diseases,” says Cristiane Villela, professor of medical clinic/hepatology at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Diagnosis is still a challenge
Studies show that the prevalence of liver steatosis in people with obesity can range from 37% to 95%, reaching peak in cases of grade 3 obesity. However, data from Datafolha reveals a worrying scenario of diagnosis: only 7% received a formal diagnosis of fat in the liver.
Among those diagnosed, 46% were informed that the condition was related to overweight or obesity, and 65% of cases were in light internship. In addition, 44% of respondents say they would seek a general practitioner to treat the condition.
For Villela, research highlights the need to expand awareness of disease and tracking forms for all medical specialties.
“This analysis reinforces the importance of making the population aware of seeking a more specialized medical evaluation in hepatological, metabolic and obesity when this diagnosis occurs, and not seeking alternative solutions such as teas, herbs or supplements. It is essential that patients understand that any level of liver fat represents a significant risk to health as a whole – including increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, various types of cancer (not only cancer (not only the cancer (not only the cancer (not only the cancer (not only Liver) and progressive forms of fat -related liver disease. Therefore, it is essential to adopt a preventive approach, maintaining healthy diet and regular exercise, and maintaining continuous follow -up, ensuring proper guidance and treatment, ”he concludes.
Currently, liver fat investigation is recommended for people with obesity and for those who present other risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes, changes in liver laboratory tests or family history of cirrhosis. Already the investigation of the general population without comorbidities is not yet indicated.
