UK liver disease diagnoses increase fivefold over decade

A major study conducted by researchers from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Glasgow has revealed a fivefold increase in diagnoses of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in the UK over the last decade. Analyzing GP records from nearly 12 million people between 2003 and 2022, researchers found that recorded diagnoses rose from 0.02% in 2003 to 2.4% in 2022.

MASLD, formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is closely linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes. The study noted that those diagnosed were three times more likely to have type 2 diabetes. Experts warn of a significant diagnostic gap, as the condition often presents no obvious symptoms in its early stages, leading to many cases being missed until advanced damage, such as liver cancer or failure, occurs.

Researchers highlighted that people of South Asian ethnicity are overrepresented in MASLD diagnoses but are currently the least likely to receive scoring to estimate liver scarring. Medical teams, including those from the Barts Liver Centre, are urging general practitioners to implement routine blood tests for high-risk individuals to enable early intervention, which can often slow or reverse the disease through lifestyle changes.