Early detection of liver disease ‘non-existent’
28 Nov 2014 by Evoluted New Media
Leading medical experts have warned that early detection of liver disease by GPs in the UK is “virtually non-existent”.
A group of doctors and researchers have published a report in The Lancet, criticising GPs for their reliance on outdated blood tests for diagnosis. These tests show inflammation to the liver, which can fluctuate, giving false results.
Professor Roger Williams, who led the research and is the director of the Institute of Hepatology in London, pointed out that: “GPs know very little about it and don’t particularly want to get involved.”
The report states that the UK has one of the worst death rates for liver disease in Europe, with the disease being the third most common cause of premature death. Cases of liver disease are often related to excessive alcohol consumption or obesity, although it may also be caused by the hepatitis B and C viruses.
Once a diagnosis has been made, further problems exist to determine the extent of liver damage: “The test we have traditionally had at our hands has been liver biopsy, but it is an uncomfortable, daunting experience for the patient and an expensive process for the healthcare system,” said Professor W. M. C. Rosenberg, Peter Scheuer Chair of Liver Diseases, University College London.
Picking up cases earlier leads to better outcomes for patients and the report stresses that more needs to be done to ensure patients have access to newly available diagnostic treatment as early in the care pathway as possible, before the damage is irreversible.
“Early detection is key to the prevention and treatment of liver disease, yet a common misconception is that these tests are out of reach or too harmful for the patient to consider,” said Peter Harrison, Managing Director UK at Siemens Healthcare.
There are a number of easily-accessible, non-invasive tests and extensive work has already gone into the development of both blood tests and imaging techniques such as MRI and ultrasound elastography. The key is to educate GPs in the availability of new, simple tests and allow them greater access to diagnostic and screening tools.
