• “Every third Indian has fatty liver, which often predates Type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders”
• Liver diseases rank among one of the top causes of death in the country, occupying the ninth position and accounting for around 20% of all ailments

In response to the government’s call for proactive measures to address the rising burden of liver diseases in India, City Imaging & Clinical Labs- a leading Indian diagnostic chain, has taken a significant step by launching FibroScan, an advanced diagnostic tool designed for rapid, painless, and non-invasive liver assessment. This initiative aligns with the national focus on early detection and prevention, particularly in the context of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is fast becoming a major health crisis in India.

Liver diseases are a major public health concern in India, contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), liver diseases rank among one of the top causes of death in the country, occupying the ninth position and accounting for around 20% of all ailments. Liver cancer alone claims approximately 2,000 lives annually, underscoring the urgent need for accessible diagnostic tools.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, during the recent launch of the Indo-French Liver and Metabolic Disease Network (InFLiMeN), emphasized the growing prevalence of NAFLD in India. “Every third Indian has fatty liver, which often predates Type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders,” said Dr. Singh, who himself is a nationally renowned diabetologist. He stressed the need for India-specific interventions to address this growing epidemic, given the country’s unique metabolic and genetic profile.

The launch of FibroScan at City Imaging’s Dwarka branch is a direct response to this call for action. With this the City Imaging has extended its reach also.  The device provides a Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness assessment, making it an essential tool for the early detection of liver conditions such as NAFLD and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). These conditions, if left undiagnosed, can progress to serious complications like cirrhosis and liver cancer.

“The burden of liver diseases in India is staggering, and with FibroScan, we aim to offer a solution that is affordable, accurate, and accessible to everyone,” said Dr. Aakaar Kapoor, Founder & Partner of City Imaging and Clinical Labs LLP.

“FibroScan helps in detecting liver stiffness and fat accumulation early. Traditional methods like liver biopsies, while effective, are invasive. FibroScan is painless, non-invasive, and provides immediate results, making it a game-changer in liver diagnostics,”added Dr Kapoor.

India is witnessing a surge in NAFLD due to factors such as changes in diet, sedentary lifestyles, and the rise of metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes. According to experts, NAFLD affects approximately 20% of non-obese individuals in India, a stark contrast to Western countries where it is mostly associated with obesity. This condition can silently progress to cirrhosis or primary liver cancer if not diagnosed and managed early.

In addition to NAFLD, alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is also a growing concern. Both NAFLD and ALD follow a similar progression, from steatosis (fatty liver) to steatohepatitis, then to cirrhosis, and eventually to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a form of liver cancer. The need for early detection and intervention is critical, as liver diseases are often asymptomatic until they reach an advanced stage.

“With the rising incidence of NAFLD and ALD, it is essential to have tools like FibroScan that provide accurate and timely diagnosis,” emphasized Dr. Kapoor. “We are committed to offering our patients the best diagnostic technologies to help them take control of their liver health early.”

The FibroScan technology offers several key features, including its ability to deliver rapid results in just minutes. It is painless and non-invasive, eliminating the need for traditional biopsies or invasive procedures. Designed to be affordable, it ensures accessibility for a wide range of patients. The device provides precise and reproducible results, ensuring consistency and reliability in liver assessments. Additionally, it offers immediate results, enabling healthcare professionals to make quick and informed decisions for timely interventions. For patients with higher body mass, FibroScan includes an XL probe, ensuring accurate and tailored diagnostics.

India is now at the forefront of not just curative healthcare, but also preventive healthcare, and diagnostic solutions like FibroScan are critical in this effort. As Dr. Jitendra Singh aptly pointed out, “A large population in India is affected by metabolic disorders, and we need India-specific interventions as our phenotype is different.” The launch of FibroScan aims to address these unique health challenges with a low-cost, efficient solution that fits the Indian healthcare landscape.

City Diagnostic’s initiative is set to transform how liver diseases are diagnosed and managed in India, providing an essential tool for healthcare providers to identify liver conditions before they escalate into life-threatening complications.