Fatty liver will emerge as the leading cause of cirrhosis of the liver, said the expert
Untreated fatty liver appears to be the first emerging cause of liver cirrhosis worldwide, including the Philippines, in the next few decades, urging Filipinos to maintain a healthy lifestyle, according to health experts on Wednesday.
Since treatments and vaccines have become available for Hepatitis B and C—the main cause of cirrhosis of the liver—the prevalence of the disease has not decreased. Fatty liver is now emerging as one of the main causes, especially in Western countries in 2030, Dr. Mara Teresa T. Panlilio, specialist in gastroenterology and transplant hepatology, during a forum led by the Philippine College of Physicians.
“This trend is likely to be seen all over the world, including the Philippines in 2050,” said Ms. Panlilio. “We are seeing a steady increase in fatty liver disease, which is expected to be the number one cause of liver cirrhosis worldwide due to lifestyle, such as highly processed foods and excessively sugary drinks,” he added.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, cirrhosis of the liver is a condition in which normal liver cells are replaced by scar tissue, which interferes with the normal functioning of the organ.
Globally, there are 112 million people with compensated cirrhosis, or the reversible stage of cirrhosis of the liver, said Ms. Panlilio, referring to the 2017 Global Burden of Disease Study.
If a patient has unresolved fatty liver disease, excess fat accumulation can overwork the liver, eventually leading to scarring, or cirrhosis, Ms. Panlilio said.
He explained that in the early stages of hepatitis—usually between 10 and 35 years from the first exposure to the risk factors—patients may have no symptoms.
If left untreated, this condition may progress to decompensated cirrhosis, where symptoms and other liver-related problems develop.
Common symptoms of advanced cirrhosis include jaundice, abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation, kidney failure, vomiting blood, and in some cases, liver cancer.
Fatty liver can develop from high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic conditions such as obesity.
This means that even with little or no drinking, cirrhosis may develop if a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle contribute to these conditions.
According to the 2022 report of the Hepatology Society of the Philippines, at least 18 million Filipinos are overweight or obese and may be at risk of fatty liver disease, also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Ms. Panlilio emphasized that not all patients with fatty liver will develop cirrhosis, as reversing the risk factors through a comprehensive lifestyle is possible.
“Fat and fatty foods should be reduced. Sugar intake should be limited. Sedentary behavior should be reduced,” he said.
He also advises monitoring liquid calorie intake, which can add significantly to total calories even if food intake is controlled.
Apart from lifestyle changes, he promoted Hepatitis B and C vaccination, especially for infants, to prevent the leading causes of liver disease and cirrhosis.
He also recommended avoiding excessive drinking and drug abuse.
March is recognized as Liver Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month, according to the Ministry of Health.
This forum was part of a program led by the Philippine College of Physicians and the Department of Health to raise public awareness about liver disease. – Edg Adrian A. Eva
