Search
What are you looking for?
Start main content

Press Releases

Press Releases

https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/cuhk-estimates-one-million-hong-kong-people-are-suffering-from-fatty-liver-disease
https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/cuhk-estimates-one-million-hong-kong-people-are-suffering-from-fatty-liver-disease

CUHK Estimates One Million Hong Kong People are Suffering from Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide. Previous studies from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) indicated that 25% of NAFLD patients had worsening of liver fibrosis in 3 years. Some may even progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer. NAFLD is also strongly associated with metabolic syndrome (diabetes, hypertension, central obesity and dyslipidemia) and coronary artery disease. Therefore, epidemiological studies on NAFLD are very important.

Most previous epidemiological studies used ultrasound scan for assessment in the past. However, ultrasound can only detect fatty liver when over 30% of liver cells have fat accumulation. It also cannot assess the severity of NAFLD. Hence, the current knowledge on the epidemiology of NAFLD is incomplete. With the advancement of new technology, it is possible to evaluate the liver more quickly and accurately nowadays. From 2008 to 2010, the Center for Liver Health at CUHK had conducted a population screening study to obtain more accurate epidemiological data.

 

(from left) Professor Henry Lik Yuen CHAN, Director, Centre for Liver Health and Professor, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, CUHK and Professor Vincent Wai Sun WONG, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, CUHK

(from left) Professor Henry Lik Yuen CHAN, Director, Centre for Liver Health and Professor, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, CUHK and Professor Vincent Wai Sun WONG, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, CUHK.

3,000 local citizens were selected randomly from the general population and 922 completed the assessments as follow:

 

  1. Proton-magnetic resonance spectroscopy: An accurate method to detect mild to severe fatty liver
  2. Fibroscan®: A non-invasive test to detect liver fibrosis and cirrhosis


Among 922 subjects, 264 (28.6%) were found to have fatty liver. After excluding subjects with significant alcohol consumption, the prevalence of NAFLD remained high at 27.3%. Besides, 3.7% of the fatty liver subjects have already had severe liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Based on these figures, around 1 million adults in Hong Kong are estimated to have NAFLD, and over 40,000 may even have severe liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. From previous studies, the latter high risk group is at risk of disease progression, and 20-30% may eventually die from liver cancer or cirrhotic complications. The study indicated that the situation of NAFLD is alarming in Hong Kong.

In addition, NAFLD patients have a higher risk of metabolic syndrome. 47% of NAFLD patients, compared to only 9% of controls, had metabolic syndrome.

2.3% of modest drinkers (alcohol intake of less than 10g per day) and 1.7% of non-drinkers had severe fibrosis or cirrhosis. Therefore, drinking less than 10g per day, i.e. around 1 glass of beer or red wine, does not increase the risk of liver disease.

In conclusion, a quarter of Hong Kong adults suffer from NAFLD. Over 40,000 people also have severe fibrosis or cirrhosis. NAFLD patients are at risk of metabolic syndrome. Modest alcohol intake does not cause liver injury. Therefore, CUHK recommends adults, especially those with metabolic syndrome, to undergo liver assessment. NAFLD patients should adopt a healthy lifestyle.

More Press Releases

CUHK Develops Lifestyle Modification Program for Fatty Liver Patients 60% Patients Recovered Without Use of Drugs

CUHK Develops Lifestyle Modification Program for Fatty Liver Patients 60% Patients Recovered Without Use of Drugs

Health Campaign
CUHK Discovers High Prevalence of Colorectal Polyps among Fatty Liver Patients

CUHK Discovers High Prevalence of Colorectal Polyps among Fatty Liver Patients

Research
CUHK Discovers Fatty Liver Causing Severe Liver Fibrosis or Cirrhosis in 1 Out of 5 Diabetic Patients

CUHK Discovers Fatty Liver Causing Severe Liver Fibrosis or Cirrhosis in 1 Out of 5 Diabetic Patients

Research
CUHK Latest Research Reveals over 100,000 New Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Cases in Hong Kong Annually

CUHK Latest Research Reveals over 100,000 New Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Cases in Hong Kong Annually

Research
CUHK Survey: About 90% Hepatitis C Patients Unaware of Infection and Majority Refuses Treatment

CUHK Survey: About 90% Hepatitis C Patients Unaware of Infection and Majority Refuses Treatment

Research
CUHK-HCC Score Accurately Predicts Risk of Liver Cancer in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Antiviral Therapy

CUHK-HCC Score Accurately Predicts Risk of Liver Cancer in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Antiviral Therapy

Research
CUHK Pioneers the Use of a New Non-Invasive Imaging Technology to Measure Fatty Liver - a problem affecting 27% of the adult population in HK

CUHK Pioneers the Use of a New Non-Invasive Imaging Technology to Measure Fatty Liver - a problem affecting 27% of the adult population in HK

Research
CUHK Discovers the Use of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Level as a New Marker for Disease Control in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

CUHK Discovers the Use of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Level as a New Marker for Disease Control in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

Research
CUHK Reveals Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Afflicts Even the Non-Obese

CUHK Reveals Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Afflicts Even the Non-Obese

Research
CUHK Received Four Ministry of Education Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards The Highest Share among Hong Kong Institutions

CUHK Received Four Ministry of Education Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards The Highest Share among Hong Kong Institutions

Awards and honors
Antiviral Therapy Can Prevent Liver Cancer Recurrence CUHK Represents HK to Draw Up Asian Pacific Treatment Guideline for Chronic Hepatitis B

Antiviral Therapy Can Prevent Liver Cancer Recurrence CUHK Represents HK to Draw Up Asian Pacific Treatment Guideline for Chronic Hepatitis B

Research
CUHK and French Researchers Pioneer the Use of Non-Invasive Imaging Technology – New XL Probe to Assess Liver Disease in Obese Patients

CUHK and French Researchers Pioneer the Use of Non-Invasive Imaging Technology – New XL Probe to Assess Liver Disease in Obese Patients

Research
CUHK study reveals antiviral drug tenofovir disoproxil fumarate increases  fracture risk in elderly patients with chronic hepatitis B

CUHK study reveals antiviral drug tenofovir disoproxil fumarate increases fracture risk in elderly patients with chronic hepatitis B

Research
CUHK study reveals risk of liver-related complications but not liver cancer decreases over time in patients who have recovered from hepatitis B, regular cancer surveillance is recommended

CUHK study reveals risk of liver-related complications but not liver cancer decreases over time in patients who have recovered from hepatitis B, regular cancer surveillance is recommended

Research
CU Medicine Study Shows Liver Injury is Common and Prognostic in COVID-19 Patients

CU Medicine Study Shows Liver Injury is Common and Prognostic in COVID-19 Patients

Research
CUHK Discovers an Essential Oncogene in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma

CUHK Discovers an Essential Oncogene in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Research
CUHK Study Reveals Patients with Recovery of Hepatitis B Still at Risk of Liver Cancer

CUHK Study Reveals Patients with Recovery of Hepatitis B Still at Risk of Liver Cancer

Research
Three CUHK Scholars Named Croucher Senior Research Fellow 2011-12

Three CUHK Scholars Named Croucher Senior Research Fellow 2011-12

Awards and honors

Our Expert List

Many experts under the Faculty of Medicine are available for media interview.
Please click here for the expert list or contact us.