Scientists have issued a warning that a prevalent health condition could increase the risk of death from heart disease and cancer by approximately 50 per cent. This lethal yet often undetected disease is believed to affect one in five people in the UK, potentially heightening the likelihood of premature death.

Recent research has discovered that individuals with fatty liver disease face almost double the mortality rate compared to the general population. They are at an elevated risk of death from both liver diseases and common illnesses such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Fatty liver disease, also known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), results from an accumulation of fat in the liver. Although it does not initially cause any issues, over time it can lead to significant damage and scarring.

Some MASLD patients may also develop liver failure or liver cancer. The disease is particularly perilous because it often does not exhibit symptoms in its early stages.

The study, published in The Journal of Hepatology, involved researchers identifying all 13,000 patients diagnosed with MASLD in Sweden between 2002 and 2020. Their risk of death from various causes was then analysed in comparison to the general population.

The study revealed that individuals with MASLD had a mortality rate almost double that of those without the condition. A significantly higher risk was noted for various causes of death, particularly from liver disease (27 times higher mortality) and liver cancer (35 times higher mortality).

The predominant causes of death in these patients were cardiovascular disease and non-liver cancer, with mortality rates 54 per cent and 47 per cent higher respectively.

Karolinska University Hospital physician and study author, Axel Wester, said: "Many people are not aware that they have fatty liver disease because it rarely causes any symptoms in the earlier stages. Our study shows that people diagnosed with MASLD have an increased risk of dying from many different diseases, not just liver disease."

Furthermore, the research indicated that MASLD sufferers also had a heightened risk of death from infectious diseases, gastrointestinal conditions, respiratory illnesses, endocrine disorders, or external factors. Hannes Hagström, also a study author, emphasised: "It is important that we do not only focus on the liver when treating patients with fatty liver disease."

He concluded by advocating for a comprehensive treatment strategy, saying: "A holistic approach and early intervention involving different medical specialities can be crucial to improve the prognosis for these patients." The NHS alerts that the chances of developing fatty liver disease increase if you:

  • Are over the age of 50
  • Have a condition that affects how your body uses insulin (insulin resistance), such as polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Have high blood pressure
  • Have an underactive thyroid
  • Have metabolic syndrome (a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity)
  • Are obese or overweight – particularly if you have a lot of fat around your waist (an "apple-like" body shape)
  • Have type 2 diabetes
  • Smoke
  • Have high cholesterol.

However, the health authority notes: "But non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has been diagnosed in people without any of these risk factors, including young children." Symptoms of this condition often remain unnoticed until it progresses to cirrhosis, which is the scarring of the liver.

Symptoms of cirrhosis can manifest as:

  • Itchy skin
  • Very dark or black poo
  • Feeling or being sick
  • Changes to your fingers, such as them getting wider and curved (clubbed), or white nails
  • Swollen tummy, legs, ankles or feet
  • yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) – yellowing of the skin may be harder to see on brown or black skin
  • Blotchy red palms of the hands – the redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin
  • Loss of appetite or losing weight without trying
  • Slurred speech
  • Vomiting blood
  • Feeling tired or unwell all the time
  • Visible blood vessels on the skin
  • Feeling confused or difficulty concentrating
  • Tummy pain
  • Trembling hands
  • Bleeding or bruising easily.

Should you notice any of these symptoms, it's crucial to consult your GP.