The liver is often described as the body's mastermind, performing over 500 vital functions essential to overall health. Despite its resilience and capacity for self-repair, liver disease remains a growing health concern in the UK. Each year, more than 12,000 people die from liver-related illnesses, a toll that has climbed steadily in recent decades. This rise is attributed not only to excessive alcohol consumption but also to lifestyle factors such as diets high in saturated and trans fats and sugary foods, as well as other causes like viral hepatitis and metabolic conditions.

Editor Jo Checkley recently explored liver health by undergoing a FibroScan—a quick, non-invasive test offered at specialist clinics—to assess her liver’s condition. The scan uses sound waves to measure liver stiffness and fat content, helping to detect early signs of liver damage such as fibrosis or fatty liver disease. Checkley’s results showed her liver was healthy, comparable in flexibility to a baby’s liver, leaving her relieved and more mindful of maintaining a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and moderate alcohol consumption.

The importance of early detection is underscored by alarming statistics. Government data reveals a 42% increase in premature deaths from liver disease in the UK between 2001 and 2023, with over 10,800 such deaths recorded in 2023 alone. Deaths from alcoholic liver disease, in particular, have risen sharply, showing a nearly 60% increase since 2001. These figures are echoed by the British Liver Trust, which notes that liver disease is responsible for more than 31 deaths daily, with total annual deaths exceeding 12,000 nationwide. The Trust and government reports also highlight a troubling disparity: liver disease mortality rates are significantly higher in the most deprived areas, where social and economic factors exacerbate health outcomes.

Since the 1970s, liver disease mortality in England has surged by 400%, making the UK one of the Western European countries with the highest rates of death from liver conditions. This steep increase has prompted calls for enhanced scientific research focused on early diagnosis and treatment. FibroScan, as a painless and accurate tool, represents progress in this regard. Originally developed to assess liver stiffness by measuring the speed of shear waves travelling through liver tissue, FibroScan also evaluates fat content, aiding in the diagnosis of conditions such as alcoholic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), chronic viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and certain genetic disorders.

While FibroScan devices are available on the NHS when recommended by a doctor, private clinics offer the test as a quicker alternative for those seeking reassurance or proactive screening. The British Liver Trust supports community outreach through its 'Love Your Liver' roadshow, providing free FibroScan assessments and online liver health screening tools, aiming to tackle late diagnosis and raise public awareness.

Jo Checkley’s experience illustrates the value of understanding one’s liver health, particularly when symptoms like persistent fatigue or unexplained weight loss may go unnoticed or misattributed. The liver’s regenerative capacity means that damage can often be reversed or halted with appropriate lifestyle changes. This knowledge empowers individuals to take proactive steps, from dietary improvements to physical activity and moderated alcohol intake, reinforcing the liver’s central role in sustaining health.

Given the rising burden of liver disease and the disparities observed across different communities, improving awareness, early detection, and access to diagnostic tools like FibroScan are critical. These efforts form part of a broader public health strategy seeking to reverse liver disease trends and reduce the associated mortality in the UK.

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Source: Noah Wire Services