One In Four Diabetics Have Liver Fibrosis Study: In India, it is now proving wrong to consider diabetes as a disease limited only to blood sugar. A 2026 multicenter study, the DiaFib-Liver Study, has challenged this notion. The study revealed that one out of every four adults suffering from type-2 diabetes in the country has liver fibrosis i.e. severe scarring on the liver. Not only this, the risk of cirrhosis has also been found in one out of every 20 patients.
What came out in the study?
This study shows that diabetes is no longer limited to just eyes, kidneys and nerves, but liver disease should also be seen as the fourth major problem. Research has specifically focused on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, previously known as fatty liver. The problem of MASLD starts when insulin resistance increases in the body and excess fat starts accumulating in the liver. Gradually this fat causes inflammation and later on takes the form of fibrosis, in which scar tissue starts forming in place of healthy liver tissue.
What do experts say?
Dr. Kapil Sharma told TOI that in type-2 diabetes, the imbalance of fat and glucose in the body also affects the liver. According to statistics, about 70 percent of diabetic patients have fat accumulation in the liver, which can turn into inflammation and fibrosis over time. Doctors say that there are many risk factors for this disease, such as obesity, poor sugar control, high triglycerides and metabolic syndrome. The special thing is that in many cases, liver disease continues to progress without any obvious symptoms, due to which the risk increases further.
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Fat accumulation alone is not that dangerous
Research has also emphasized that fat accumulation alone is not as dangerous as fibrosis. Because fibrosis indicates that the disease has reached a serious level and the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure and even death may increase in the future. That is why experts recommend that in diabetic patients, more attention should be paid not only to the detection of fatty liver but also to the identification of fibrosis. For this, it is necessary to undergo regular tests like liver enzyme test and fibroscan, so that the disease can be detected in its early stages.
What is the method of prevention?
For prevention, doctors recommend controlling weight, eating a balanced diet, doing regular exercise and staying away from refined carbohydrates and alcohol. Along with this, it is also important to keep blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure under control.
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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.
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