HYDERABAD: Doctors from across the country and the globe, at the first AIG liver conclave, expressed concern over increasing instances of fatty liver diseases, citing it as the third highest cause of deaths (after diabetes and cancer).
Around 1,300 doctors took part in the three-day event that concluded on Saturday. The conclave featured learning sessions for all levels of doctors treating liver patients, including a PG course, live transmission of advanced endo-hepatology procedures, hands-on workshops, and case-based practical discussions.
The highlight of the conclave was the keynote address delivered by Nobel Laureate Prof. Harvey J. Alter on his discovery of the hepatitis C virus.
Other distinguished lectures included Prof. Shiv Sarin, Chancellor, ILBS, New Delhi, who delivered the AIG oration on “Big data and multiomics in Hepatology” and Prof. M.S. Khuroo, who talked about his discovery of the hepatitis E virus.
Addressing the concluding session, Dr D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals, said, “In India, the incidence of liver diseases is growing rapidly, and we are dealing with a deadly trio, i.e., non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatitis B & C, and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer). The cause of concern is NAFLD, as it is affecting our paediatric population to a great extent. Approximately 60 per cent of obese children have fatty liver disease. It was probably the first time in our country where so many legendary liver experts came together from all over the world to educate and update our physicians on management of liver disorders, which will eventually help lacs of patients”.
Meanwhile, in a select media interaction conducted by speakers of the conclave on Saturday, experts stressed that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was more prominent than alcoholic fatty liver, due to factors such as obesity and genetic disorders, and was the third cause of deaths, after diabetes and cancer, worldwide.
Experts said that around 30 per cent of Indians are suffering from NAFLD and around 1.5 lakh people die because of liver cancer in India annually, which was a serious concern, besides alcohol being the major cause of liver disease deaths in the country.
They said that diabetes with fatty liver was a very serious health condition which could lead to death if left undiagnosed and tests like ultrasound, HbA1c and blood fibrosis could help in early detection which was very crucial in the treatment of liver diseases.
Citing examples of countries like Italy, doctors said that alcohol sales must be strictly regulated with high rates and less number of sale hours so that alcohol consumption could be limited. They also stressed raising awareness in schools and colleges as youngsters were most vulnerable to alcohol consumption.
Doctors advised a healthy diet, with less starch and carbohydrates, regular health check-ups and around 20 minutes of regular exercise, including cardiovascular and resistance workouts, to help keep the liver healthy.
Dr Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals, Dr Mithun Sharma, director (hepatology), AIG Hospitals, Dr P.N. Rao, chief of hepatology, AIG Hospitals, Prof. Patrick Kamath, professor of hepatology, Mayo Clinic, USA, Prof. Julia Wendon, clinical director, King’s College, London, UK, Prof. Elliot Tapper, professor of hepatology & researcher, University of Michigan, USA, Prof. Rajender Reddy, professor of hepatology, University of Pennsylvania, USA and Dr Anand Kulkarni, senior consultant (hepatology), AIG Hospitals, participated in the interaction.
