In observance of the 1st International NASH day, Hepatology Society Dhaka organized a scientific seminar on ‘Prevalence of Fatty Liver and Risk Factors of It’ on Thursday in the city. Recent research from Bangladesh found that about 45 million people are affected by fatty liver disease in Bangladesh.
The seminar took place at CIRDAP auditorium and was chaired by renowned hepatologist & President of the Society Prof Mobin Khan. Prof Nooruddin Ahmad, Chairman of the department of Hepatology, BSMMU was present as the chief guest. Eminent Journalist & Voice of America (VOA) Bureau Chief Amir Khasru was present as the special guest of honour.
Specialist opinion were expressed by Prof Dr Mohammad Ali, Secretary General of the Liver Foundation of Bangladesh, Brig Gen (Rtd) Prof Sk Bahar Hossain, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Dr Motahar Hossain, Consultant Hepatologist from Square Hospital. Among others Dr Md Shahinul Alam, Dr Golam Azom & Dr Md Golam Mostafa spoke on behalf of the research team.
Recently, a study has been conducted throughout the country, including Dhaka City along with four district towns and four upzilla towns with an aim to estimate the prevalence of Fatty Liver in general adult population. The study was designed and led by Dr. Shahinul Alam, Associate Professor, Department of Hepatology, Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka. Expert researchers from BSMMU, BIRDEM and Florida University USA contributed and took part in the study. The research article is published in the January issue of the high impact international journal of John Willey ?the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Open’ from Australia. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ jgh3.12044
Research activities started in December 2015 and ended in January 2017. A total of 2782 study participants were included in the research with a mean age of 34 years. Among them, 1694 (60.91%) were male, and 1088 (39.09%) were female.
Liver disease related death is the 8th most common cause of death in Bangladesh and are due to Cirrhosis and Liver Cancer. Fatty liver disease is known to be a significant contributor to liver-related mortality. Previous research confirmed that large proportion of individuals with type 2 diabetes develops fatty liver, and it may also progress to liver cancer. Currently, fatty liver is the most common cause of hepatic dysfunction in developed countries and is predicted to be the same for developing countries like Bangladesh within the next few years. Unfortunately, data on the burden of fatty live are very limited in Bangladesh.
A proportion of Fatty Liver (if not treated sufficiently) may progress to hepatitis. Fatty Liver, other than hepatitis, will contribute to heart disease, diabetes and deterioration of the effectiveness of Insulin hormone in body. Fatty Liver Disease is increasing alarmingly in the country, and has become a public health concern.
The overall prevalence of Fatty Liver in the study population was 33.86%, which indicates that more than 45 million Bangladeshi people are affected by fatty liver. Both male and female are equally affected. The researchers observed the highest prevalence (73.21%) among rural obese women.
Diabetic suffers from Fatty liver is 71.18%. A very sharp increase in Fatty Liver prevalence was observed with increase of weight. Overweight and obese individuals had a prevalence of Fatty Liver of 44.05% and 63.55%, respectively. The study results also depicted that the prevalence of Fatty Liver increases with increase of age. Study participants aged 45-54 years had the highest prevalence (58.43%). 67% Married had Fatty liver. It is also noticed that the odds of having Fatty Liver was 4.51 times higher among overweight and 10.71 times higher in obese participants, as compared to normal-weight study participants. Due to change of food habit and life style modification Fatty Liver Disease has become an epidemic now-a-days.
The results of this study demonstrate that about one-third population of Bangladesh is affected by Fatty Liver. The burden of Fatty Liver Disease is putting the population of Bangladesh at an increased risk of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Early to midlife adults; diabetic, overweight, and obese individuals; rural women; and married individuals are at a greater risk of developing Fatty Liver Disease than others. This is the first country-wide study of its kind; previous studies were hospital based. It is acceptable and goes with the relevant studies of neighboring countries. The researchers believe that modifiable risk factors identified in this study might help to develop feasible interventions for the early detection and management of Fatty Liver Disease. The ailing community may escape the risk of danger with increased awareness and timely scientific intervention with healthy food and life-style modification.
