Research on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease sought

To understand the wide-spread phenomenon of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has sought research proposals from doctors.

“We want to investigate the factors associated with NAFLD. Currently the knowledge about this disease and its pathology is very restricted,” said Dr V Katoch, director general of ICMR.  

NAFLD constitutes fatty liver disease that is completely asymptomatic or without any history of metabolic disorders like diabetes. There is an abnormal accumulation of fat that triggers damage of the liver. This can later lead to cirrhosis and death.  

“We want to investigate the causes first and then make guidelines on how to prevent this disorder,” said Dr Katoch. Currently, the understanding about the disease is that it is an integral part of the metabolic syndrome which comprises of obesity, hypertension with insulin resistance.  

The ICMR research aims to be multi-disciplinary. It aims to look at clinical research, apart from epidemiological research (to find patterns of the disease in the population), and from the public health point of view.  

The research, senior physician, Dr Hemant Thakker said, “It’s not known why this disease is striking people who do not have any history of drinking or diabetes. This disease was always prevalent, but it is being diagnosed more often thanks to the phase contrast ultrasound which tells the degree of fatty liver.” Currently, modalities of alternate treatment like Ayurveda are available for such patients, added Dr Thakkar.