Senior gastroenterologists have warned that around half of adult Pakistanis may be suffering from fatty liver disease because of obesity, junk food consumption, sedentary lifestyles, and physical inactivity.
Speaking at the 8th Annual Conference of the Pakistan GI and Liver Disease Society, experts said the disease has reached epidemic levels in the country and is now increasingly affecting children and lean individuals as well.
The conference was held under the theme “Empowering The Future: Advancing GI And Liver Care.”
The experts said fatty liver disease, now called Metabolically Dysregulated Steatotic Liver Disease, can progress silently if left untreated.
They warned that the condition can lead to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. It can also significantly increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other metabolic disorders.
PGLDS President Dr Lubna Kamani said fatty liver disease has become one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease in Pakistan because of rising obesity, diabetes, and unhealthy lifestyles.
She also warned that colorectal cancer cases are increasing rapidly, especially among younger people. She said lack of awareness, financial difficulties, and social barriers are delaying timely screening and diagnosis.
Dr Kamani regretted that Pakistan still does not have enough trained and qualified female gastroenterologists, making it harder for women to seek treatment for gastrointestinal and liver diseases.
She said PGLDS is working to support women doctors and young professionals in gastroenterology and hepatology through academic opportunities, mentorship, and leadership roles.
Former PGLDS president Prof Sajjad Jamil said fatty liver disease has become a global pandemic and is now reaching epidemic proportions in Pakistan.
He said even lean people in Pakistan are increasingly developing fatty liver disease because of poor dietary habits, metabolic problems, and lack of physical activity.
He urged people to adopt healthier lifestyles, avoid junk food, exercise regularly, and use medicines prescribed by qualified physicians when needed to prevent liver disease from progressing.
PGLDS patron Prof Shahid Ahmed spoke about inflammatory bowel disease, its causes, symptoms, and growing burden in Pakistan.
He said early diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases can significantly improve treatment outcomes. He also advised patients to avoid quacks and seek treatment from qualified gastroenterologists.
Gastroenterologist Prof Nazish Butt discussed the genetic causes of fatty liver disease. She said South Asian populations exposed to prolonged famine conditions over generations developed genetic mutations that now make them more prone to obesity and fatty liver disease.
Prof Javed Iqbal Farooqi delivered a lecture on Hepatitis B, covering advances in treatment, newer therapies, and the possibility of achieving a functional cure in selected patients.
Prof AH Aamir highlighted the growing role of modern weight loss medicines, including semaglutide, in preventing and managing obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and fatty liver disease.
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