A significant number of people in the US, UK, Germany, and France are unaware they have a deadly form of fatty liver disease. According to recent research, approximately 5% of adults worldwide suffer from metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), which can cause fibrosis, cirrhosis, and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and liver cancer.
The study found that only around 2.5 million people out of 20 million living with MASH have been diagnosed. This leaves over 16.7 million individuals unaware they have the condition. Researchers are calling for a doubling of diagnosis rates to address the issue, which can cost economies billions in lost productivity and poor health.
The researchers suggest that everyone with type 2 diabetes, obesity combined with other risk factors, or those with high liver enzymes should be screened for MASH. Non-invasive methods such as blood tests, ultrasound, and MRI scans can now be used to diagnose the condition, reducing the need for biopsies.
Experts are urging faster diagnosis and access to treatment to prevent the human and economic toll from increasing. Some suggest using weight loss jabs to treat MASH, which could help resynchronise metabolism and reduce scar tissue formation in the liver. The research also highlights the potential benefits of diabetes drugs like dapagliflozin, which can reduce fat levels and fibrosis in the liver.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/05/millions-in-west-do-not-know-they-have-aggressive-fatty-liver-disease-study-says