United States: On Thursday, these radiologists issued a “call to action” about fatty liver disease, which ultimately encourages doctors to pay more attention to this important health issue. Since it was first recognized in year 1980 also during the time fatty liver disease has become more common, especially with rising obesity rates around the world. Experts shared their findings in the journal Radio Graphics, highlighting new information about how the disease develops.
Imaging is considered “critical” in the diagnosis, tracking and treatment of “metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.” Nonetheless, the specialty has been left out on the periphery even as the foregoing advances is achieved. Since 2010 alone, 30 diverse sets of clinical practice guidelines and consensus statement have been published on hepatic steatosis. However, of the 459 exclusive authors, only two are radiologists, and none were represented by the radiology specialty societies.
Such type of liver diseases is perceived by radiologists as a great ‘threat’ in the health care system, economy and society in the future decades.
As reported by the Radiology Business, “To all members of the house of radiology including radiologists, technologists, administrators, researchers, industry and radiology societies, we ask for action,” Dr Sedighe Shabanan of Stanford University School of Medicine and her co-authors posted on Oct 17.
“Call for a place alongside other societies, and to enhance the creation, accreditation, distribution and usability of the technologies necessary to face the approaching crisis,” they went on.
As this ‘new global threat’ they suggest will need research to fill the knowledge deficit, enhancements in screening and diagnostics, formulation of multidisciplinary guidelines and ‘never before seen’ collaboration involving policymakers, industry, academia and others.
For instance, their pictorial review affords some gems that radiologists can start with in getting engaged. It includes the recent rebranding as MASLD, the range of the disease, imaging techniques for envisaging the FF and six outstanding assessment issues.
Most chronic diseases of the liver include metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and affects approximately one-third of the global population. The load is likely to increase further; some estimate that by 2040, more than 55% of individuals may be affected, according to Mayo Clinic radiologist and liver disease specialist Sudhakar K. Venkatesh, MD, in a related editorial. MASLD also is an emerging cause of end-stage liver disease and a ‘substantial burden’ on healthcare costs, he also noted.
They also can collaborate with the experts in the AI and deep learning to establish more accurate and automated analysis of the related images and reducing the interpretation time and improving the workflow.”
Physicians also can leverage their expertise to advocate for the public health initiatives aimed at reducing the disease burden.