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SALVADOR
Clinic offers free exams for people with fatty liver
When left untreated, the problem can progress to more serious illnesses.
Published on October 29, 2024 at 09:04
USFF image reveals quantity in percentage Credit: Disclosure
A clinic in Salvador offers 30 places for patients diagnosed with fatty liver disease associated with metabolic syndromes. The exams – including ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and elastography – will be free for participants who meet the criteria: have a doctor’s request and have no history of alcoholism or hepatitis types B, C or autoimmune.
It is also necessary to present results of laboratory tests carried out in the last six months: total bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time, platelets, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, ALT, AST and GGT.
The initiative is part of a research project developed by Clínica Matteoni with the aim of validating a new technique for quantifying liver fat, the Ultrasound Fat Fraction (USFF), using ultrasound and artificial intelligence.
According to radiologist Antonio Carlos Matteoni, vice-president of the International Federation of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, the USFF method is an innovative alternative for calculating the percentage of liver fat in an accessible way. “MRI, despite being accurate, has a high cost.
Liver biopsy can be invasive and present complications. With USFF, we can provide patients with a fat percentage, which is essential for monitoring treatment progress and encouraging lifestyle changes”, explains the specialist.
The research also includes radiologist Luciana Matteoni, a specialist in Abdominal Radiology. She highlights that the method will be validated by comparing it with the current gold standard, the Proton Density Fat Fraction (PDFF) technique, used in magnetic resonance imaging. “By demonstrating the effectiveness of USFF, we seek to democratize access to diagnosis, especially in the monitoring of patients who need to periodically review their liver fat levels”, he states.
Problem can progress to more serious illnesses
According to the Ministry of Health, around 30% of the Brazilian population has some degree of fat in the liver or hepatic steatosis, a disease that is more prevalent in people who are overweight, obese and type 2 diabetes. When left untreated, the problem, associated with the risk from esophageal varices and liver failure, it can progress to more serious diseases, such as chronic liver parenchymal disease, steatohepatitis, fibrosis and even cirrhosis, which seriously compromise liver health. Around 20% of patients with hepatic steatosis develop one of these more serious problems.
The main causes of the disease are associated with lifestyle habits and metabolic conditions, including a diet rich in fats and sugars, a sedentary lifestyle and excessive alcohol consumption. Additionally, risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and insulin resistance increase the chances of developing the condition. Although steatosis itself is often asymptomatic, in advanced stages patients may experience fatigue, abdominal pain and, in severe cases, signs of liver failure.
Treatment for hepatic steatosis mainly involves lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet and regular physical exercise, aimed at losing weight and controlling risk factors. In some cases, medications may be indicated to control associated conditions, such as diabetes and high cholesterol. Early detection, through imaging and laboratory tests, is essential to prevent the disease from progressing and protect liver health in the long term.
According to Antonio Carlos Matteoni, in addition to fat in the liver, many patients also have liver fibrosis, a condition that can coexist or even replace steatosis in advanced cases.
“The degree of steatosis (amount of fat) does not necessarily determine the severity of liver disease. It is possible that a patient with grade 1 steatosis has a more serious liver condition than another with grade 3. Therefore, in addition to evaluating the fat, it is essential to check whether fibrosis is present and at what stage it is, as in cases In advanced cases, fibrosis can progress to the point of replacing fat, complicating the clinical picture”, explains the radiologist.
More information about Research Project vacancies can be requested via email administration[email protected] or telephone (71) 9 9984-6410 (Ms. Rose Silva).
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