Liver diseases are spreading at alarming rates worldwide and could affect up to 1.8 billion people by 2050, according to recent studies.
Once primarily associated with excessive alcohol consumption, this disease is now increasingly occurring in people who drink little or no alcohol.
The most common form today is known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASLD) (formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver). It is caused primarily by obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.
The disease often develops silently, without symptoms for years, which means that many people do not know they are affected until liver damage becomes severe.
When left untreated, fat builds up in the liver, causing inflammation and ongoing damage. In more advanced cases, this can lead to cirrhosis – where healthy tissue is replaced by permanent scar tissue – as well as liver failure or cancer.
MASLD is also considered a liver manifestation of metabolic syndrome – a group of conditions that include obesity, high blood pressure and blood sugar disorders – which significantly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
A major analysis from the Global Burden of Disease study, published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, estimates that by 2023, around 1.3 billion people will be living with the disease – a 143% increase compared to 1990. This number is expected to reach 1.8 billion in the next 25 years, making it one of the fastest growing health problems in the world.
The increase is largely linked to rising obesity, poor blood sugar control and increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Some regions, such as North Africa and the Middle East, are being hit harder than the global average.
Although diagnosis has increased, the overall health impact has remained relatively stable – an indication that early detection and better management may be slowing the progression of the disease.
However, experts warn that the long-term risks remain serious. If not detected and treated early, MASLD can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, and cancer.
Another concern is the fact that more and more young people are being affected by this disease, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where changes in diet and lifestyle are rapid.
Researchers emphasize the urgent need for stronger preventive measures, earlier diagnosis, and greater public awareness to curb this growing epidemic.
Meanwhile, weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are showing promise in treating the disease. Studies suggest they can significantly reduce fat in the liver, reduce inflammation, and in some cases, improve early damage.
By aiding in weight loss and better blood sugar control, these treatments may slow or even reverse the progression of the disease – although they are not yet widely approved for this use. /GazetaExpress/
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