One of the latest studies shows that there are two kinds of fatty liver disease. Some individuals have isolated liver disease, with more aggressive harm happening to the liver. In the second type, the disease is systemic, with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and heart and kidney failure.
One of the new studies identified that there are two kinds of fatty liver diseases, with very different kinds of clinical presentation and health effects. This is vital, especially considering that fatty liver disease is widespread and is the number one cause of liver disease in the US. It is also the leading cause of liver cancer in the US.
There is a reason why fatty liver disease is so common. It is related to the rise of obesity in the nation. In the US, about 40% of adults are obese, and another 30% are overweight. Thus, it is little surprise that studies show that one-third of adults are living with fatty liver disease.
Yes, those are massive numbers. It means that it is much more common than diabetes. However, it is also a condition that is frequently overlooked. The human liver has immense compensatory abilities. This means that mild to moderate fatty liver does not produce many signs and symptoms, and thus, people are more likely to neglect it and not seek medical attention for the condition.
Regretfully, doctors also frequently overlook the condition. This is the reason why it is among the under-treated conditions, and there is insufficient research into the topic.
Since obesity is not showing any signs of easing, thus there is a need to develop a better understanding of fatty liver disease or, as doctors would call it, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden did this study. In the study, researchers looked at a massive dataset. They used genetic studies to identify these two different groups. This means that genetic tests and certain clinical signs can help determine which group one belongs to. This can help provide better care, treatment, and prognosis.
So, what are those two forms of MASLD?
During their study, researchers identified that all those living with fatty liver disease can have one of the two types of the condition. The first group is the one that has more aggressive but localized liver disease. This means that this group is more likely to progress to liver failure or develop other liver health-related issues.
The second group seems to have systemic disease. This means that this group of patients has an increased risk of , cardiovascular conditions, heart and kidney failure.
Interestingly, these findings have been confirmed in another study done in France. Thus, there is a sound reason to believe in these findings.
Researchers say that it makes clinical sense to differentiate these individuals, as both these groups have very different clinical presentations. This means that the kind of care that must be provided to the patients depends on which groups the patients belong to.
These studies show how genetic research and testing may transform medicine, providing deeper insight into complex disorders like MASLD.
Better understanding and use of newer diagnostic techniques may also help prevent personalized care for patients, especially care based on their genetic profile.
Source:
Jamialahmadi, O., De Vincentis, A., Tavaglione, F., Malvestiti, F., Li-Gao, R., Mancina, R. M., Alvarez, M., Gelev, K., Maurotti, S., Vespasiani-Gentilucci, U., Rosendaal, F. R., Kozlitina, J., Pajukanta, P., Pattou, F., Valenti, L., & Romeo, S. (2024). Partitioned polygenic risk scores identify distinct types of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Nature Medicine, 30(12), 3614–3623. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-03284-0