Search
What are you looking for?
Start main content

Press Releases

Press Releases

https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/cuhk-reveals-non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease-afflicts-even-the-non-obese
https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/cuhk-reveals-non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease-afflicts-even-the-non-obese

CUHK Reveals Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Afflicts Even the Non-Obese

Studies conducted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) have revealed that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) afflicts even the non-obese population. Researchers of the CUHK Faculty of Medicine have conducted two studies on lean NAFLD patients. Findings of the first study showed that 1 out of 5 non-obese subjects from the community suffered from NAFLD, with risk factors such as high blood sugar level. The other study discovered that the severity of the disease is less in non-obese NAFLD patients than in obese patients. Nevertheless, more than 40% of non-obese patients were diagnosed with steatohepatitis while about 30% of them had severe liver fibrosis. CUHK researchers, therefore, recommend that non-obese NAFLD patients with concurrent metabolic diseases should undergo proper assessment for advanced liver diseases.

 

The first study has been published in the international medical journal, The American Journal of Gastroenterology; the second one in Hepatology.

 

Epidemiology of non-obese NAFLD patients is poorly understood

NAFLD is currently the most common chronic liver disease worldwide and affects 27% of the Hong Kong adult population. It is the second leading indication for liver transplantation and the third leading cause of liver cancer in the United States.

 

Prof. Grace Lai Hung WONG, Professor, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine at CUHK, stated, ‘Though NAFLD rarely shows clinical symptoms, it may progress to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatic carcinoma. NAFLD used to be associated with obesity, but it is now found in non-obese people as well. The epidemiology and clinical characteristics of this special group are poorly understood. Physicians are just beginning to learn more about NAFLD in the lean population.’

 

1 out of 5 non-obese community subjects found with NAFLD

Researchers from the Faculty of Medicine at CUHK conducted two prospective studies from 2006 to 2015. In the first study, 911 citizens were randomly selected from the general population. They underwent magnetic resonance imaging, and had their liver fat and fibrosis measured with a FibroScan machine. Using the Asian definition of obesity (Body Mass Index, BMI, ≥ 25kg/m2), 210 subjects of the study were classified as obese and 701 as non-obese.

 

Findings showed that 61% of obese subjects suffered from NAFLD. It is worth noting that 19% of the non-obese subjects also suffered from NAFLD. The non-obese NAFLD patients had lower markers of liver injury and fibrosis, suggesting that the severity of their disease was less.

 

Moreover, the study findings identified enlarged waist circumference, elevated blood sugar (glycated hemoglobin level), insulin resistance, higher ferritin level, and the presence of polymorphism of the PNPLA3 gene as risk indicators of NAFLD in non-obese patients.

 

Assessment is recommended for NAFLD patients with concurrent metabolic diseases

CUHK researchers also examined the liver biopsy cohort to further explore the clinical characteristics of NAFLD in non-obese patients. 307 patients who underwent liver biopsy for NAFLD were identified, among whom 235 were obese and 72 were non-obese. Results showed that compared with obese patients, non-obese patients were less susceptible to liver fibrosis. Nonetheless, 44% of these non-obese patients presented with steatohepatitis (NAFLD with active inflammation); 26% with severe liver fibrosis.

 

Prof. Vincent Wai Sun WONG, Professor, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine at CUHK, concluded, ‘Nearly 20% of the people with BMI <25 kg/m2 still have NAFLD. Although non-obese patients tend to have less severe liver disease, they are still prone to developing steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis. Therefore, those with concurrent metabolic diseases should still undergo proper liver assessment.’

 

Studies conducted by CUHK Faculty of Medicine reveal that 1 out of 5 non-obese subjects suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Some cases may even develop severe liver fibrosis. (Left) Prof. Vincent WONG and Prof. Grace WONG, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics.

Studies conducted by CUHK Faculty of Medicine reveal that 1 out of 5 non-obese subjects suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Some cases may even develop severe liver fibrosis. (Left) Prof. Vincent WONG and Prof. Grace WONG, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics.

Studies conducted by CUHK Faculty of Medicine reveal that 1 out of 5 non-obese subjects suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Some cases may even develop severe liver fibrosis. (Left) Prof. Vincent WONG and Prof. Grace WONG, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics.

Studies conducted by CUHK Faculty of Medicine reveal that 1 out of 5 non-obese subjects suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Some cases may even develop severe liver fibrosis. (Left) Prof. Vincent WONG and Prof. Grace WONG, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics.

More Press Releases

CU Medicine Study Shows Liver Injury is Common and Prognostic in COVID-19 Patients

CU Medicine Study Shows Liver Injury is Common and Prognostic in COVID-19 Patients

Research
CUHK-HCC Score Accurately Predicts Risk of Liver Cancer in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Antiviral Therapy

CUHK-HCC Score Accurately Predicts Risk of Liver Cancer in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Antiviral Therapy

Research
CUHK Discovers an Essential Oncogene in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma

CUHK Discovers an Essential Oncogene in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Research
CUHK Study Reveals Patients with Recovery of Hepatitis B Still at Risk of Liver Cancer

CUHK Study Reveals Patients with Recovery of Hepatitis B Still at Risk of Liver Cancer

Research
CUHK Discovers Fatty Liver Causing Severe Liver Fibrosis or Cirrhosis in 1 Out of 5 Diabetic Patients

CUHK Discovers Fatty Liver Causing Severe Liver Fibrosis or Cirrhosis in 1 Out of 5 Diabetic Patients

Research
CUHK Latest Research Reveals over 100,000 New Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Cases in Hong Kong Annually

CUHK Latest Research Reveals over 100,000 New Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Cases in Hong Kong Annually

Research
CU Medicine Studies Reveal Diabetes Death and Complication Rates Declining - but Not in the Young

CU Medicine Studies Reveal Diabetes Death and Complication Rates Declining - but Not in the Young

Research
CUHK Develops Lifestyle Modification Program for Fatty Liver Patients 60% Patients Recovered Without Use of Drugs

CUHK Develops Lifestyle Modification Program for Fatty Liver Patients 60% Patients Recovered Without Use of Drugs

Health Campaign
40% of Hong Kong People Show Gut Dysbiosis Comparable to that of COVID-19 Patients CUHK Microbiome Immunity Formula Hastens Recovery of COVID-19 Patients and Offers Hope to Boost Immunity

40% of Hong Kong People Show Gut Dysbiosis Comparable to that of COVID-19 Patients CUHK Microbiome Immunity Formula Hastens Recovery of COVID-19 Patients and Offers Hope to Boost Immunity

Research
CUHK and International Experts in Diabetes Care Joined Hands for Four Years Developing a Multicomponent, Integrated Strategy for Diabetes under The Lancet

CUHK and International Experts in Diabetes Care Joined Hands for Four Years Developing a Multicomponent, Integrated Strategy for Diabetes under The Lancet

International collaboration
Inaugural Collaboration between CUHK and AstraZeneca on Diabetic Kidney Disease Research Advancing a Global Strategy Against Diabetic Kidney Disease

Inaugural Collaboration between CUHK and AstraZeneca on Diabetic Kidney Disease Research Advancing a Global Strategy Against Diabetic Kidney Disease

International collaboration
Chinese Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome have 4-fold Higher Risk of Developing Diabetes

Chinese Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome have 4-fold Higher Risk of Developing Diabetes

Research
Multicomponent Frailty Prevention Programme Reduces Frailty Over 80% of Pre-frail Elderly Reverse to Robust Phenotype

Multicomponent Frailty Prevention Programme Reduces Frailty Over 80% of Pre-frail Elderly Reverse to Robust Phenotype

Research
CUHK Launches a Population-based Programme to Evaluate and Track Brain Health Status  of 5,000 Hong Kong Residents for Free

CUHK Launches a Population-based Programme to Evaluate and Track Brain Health Status of 5,000 Hong Kong Residents for Free

Research
CUHK Study Suggests Preoperative Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea to  Lower Risk of Postoperative Cardiovascular Events

CUHK Study Suggests Preoperative Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea to Lower Risk of Postoperative Cardiovascular Events

Research
CUHK Establishes Margaret K.L. Cheung Research Centre for Management of Parkinsonism  To Develop Innovative Solutions to Slow Disease Progression

CUHK Establishes Margaret K.L. Cheung Research Centre for Management of Parkinsonism To Develop Innovative Solutions to Slow Disease Progression

Research
CUHK Conducts World’s First Family Study on Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behaviour Disorder to Investigate Familial Link with Parkinson’s Disease

CUHK Conducts World’s First Family Study on Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behaviour Disorder to Investigate Familial Link with Parkinson’s Disease

Research
CUHK Study Proves Low-Dose Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) Effective in Treating Patients with Refractory Functional Dyspepsia

CUHK Study Proves Low-Dose Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) Effective in Treating Patients with Refractory Functional Dyspepsia

Research
CUHK Study Reveals 1 in 6 Diabetic Patients Project Rapid Renal Function Decline

CUHK Study Reveals 1 in 6 Diabetic Patients Project Rapid Renal Function Decline

Research
CUHK Studies Alert Mothers to Pregnancy Weight Gain

CUHK Studies Alert Mothers to Pregnancy Weight Gain

Research
CUHK Study Proves Achieving Sustained Minimal Disease Activity Lowers the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in Psoriatic Arthritis Patients

CUHK Study Proves Achieving Sustained Minimal Disease Activity Lowers the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in Psoriatic Arthritis Patients

Research
CUHK Launches Multi-Cancer Prevention Programme Providing Free Screening to 10,000 HK Residents to Study Links with Obesity

CUHK Launches Multi-Cancer Prevention Programme Providing Free Screening to 10,000 HK Residents to Study Links with Obesity

Health Campaign
CUHK Study Sees Increasing Global Incidence of Colorectal Cancer Among Younger People

CUHK Study Sees Increasing Global Incidence of Colorectal Cancer Among Younger People

Research
CUHK Pioneers in Developing Standardised Tests for Screening Cognitive Impairment in the Ageing Population in Hong Kong

CUHK Pioneers in Developing Standardised Tests for Screening Cognitive Impairment in the Ageing Population in Hong Kong

Clinical service
CUHK Study Discovers an Essential Enzyme to Maintain Body Iron Homeostasis Deficiency Could Cause Excessive Iron Retention and Damage Major Organs

CUHK Study Discovers an Essential Enzyme to Maintain Body Iron Homeostasis Deficiency Could Cause Excessive Iron Retention and Damage Major Organs

Research
CUHK Announces World’s First Systematic Review of the Global Incidence and Prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in the 21st Century Reveals Surge in Hong Kong in past 30 years

CUHK Announces World’s First Systematic Review of the Global Incidence and Prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in the 21st Century Reveals Surge in Hong Kong in past 30 years

Research
CUHK Launches World’s First Study Utilizing Retinal Imaging for Alzheimer’s Disease Screening in Chinese Population

CUHK Launches World’s First Study Utilizing Retinal Imaging for Alzheimer’s Disease Screening in Chinese Population

Research
CUHK Sees Atrial Fibrillation-related Stroke Cases 3 Times Higher Over 15 Years

CUHK Sees Atrial Fibrillation-related Stroke Cases 3 Times Higher Over 15 Years

Research
CUHK Proves Efficacy of Home-Based Management Approach of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Applicable to 50% of Public Hospital Adult Cases with Waiting Time Reduced by 80%

CUHK Proves Efficacy of Home-Based Management Approach of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Applicable to 50% of Public Hospital Adult Cases with Waiting Time Reduced by 80%

Research
CUHK Announces World’s First Meta-analysis on Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection

CUHK Announces World’s First Meta-analysis on Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection

Research
CUHK Recommends Oral Glucose Tolerance Test for All Pregnant Women Study Reveals Children of Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Have 3-Fold Diabetes Risk

CUHK Recommends Oral Glucose Tolerance Test for All Pregnant Women Study Reveals Children of Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Have 3-Fold Diabetes Risk

Research
CUHK Collaborates with Australian Experts to Untangle Mystery of Eastern Inflammatory Bowel Disease Gut Microbiota

CUHK Collaborates with Australian Experts to Untangle Mystery of Eastern Inflammatory Bowel Disease Gut Microbiota

Research
CUHK Professor Receives World Honour For Stroke Services Pioneering an Innovative 3-in-1 Multi-Target Therapy to Repair Damaged Brain After Stroke and Enhance Functional Recovery

CUHK Professor Receives World Honour For Stroke Services Pioneering an Innovative 3-in-1 Multi-Target Therapy to Repair Damaged Brain After Stroke and Enhance Functional Recovery

Awards and honors
CUHK Opens Therese Pei Fong Chow Research Centre for Prevention of Dementia and Establishes a One-stop Online Platform to Provide Information on Dementia

CUHK Opens Therese Pei Fong Chow Research Centre for Prevention of Dementia and Establishes a One-stop Online Platform to Provide Information on Dementia

Research
CUHK World’s First Study Confirms A New Colorectal Cancer High Risk Group

CUHK World’s First Study Confirms A New Colorectal Cancer High Risk Group

Research
CUHK Sets up the Global First Research Registry on Early Onset Dementia in Chinese Population

CUHK Sets up the Global First Research Registry on Early Onset Dementia in Chinese Population

Research
CUHK and HKU Researchers Introduce 3D Printing Technology in Complex Cardiac Surgery Procedures

CUHK and HKU Researchers Introduce 3D Printing Technology in Complex Cardiac Surgery Procedures

Research
CUHK Jointly Discovers New Therapeutic Solution for Minor Stroke in Global Study with over 30 Countries

CUHK Jointly Discovers New Therapeutic Solution for Minor Stroke in Global Study with over 30 Countries

Research
CUHK Sees Early Evaluation of TIA Patients Reduce Rate of Stroke by 70% in a Global Study of 21 Countries

CUHK Sees Early Evaluation of TIA Patients Reduce Rate of Stroke by 70% in a Global Study of 21 Countries

Research
CUHK Conducts Hong Kong’s First Study on Seven Common Respiratory Viruses Revealing Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza A as Prevalent Fatal Types

CUHK Conducts Hong Kong’s First Study on Seven Common Respiratory Viruses Revealing Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza A as Prevalent Fatal Types

Research
Asia’s First Research by CUHK on Patients’ Lifestyle Reveals Personalised Modification Programme Effective in Reducing Severity of OSA

Asia’s First Research by CUHK on Patients’ Lifestyle Reveals Personalised Modification Programme Effective in Reducing Severity of OSA

Research
CUHK Screening Reveals 1 in 3 Older Adults in Community Suffer Brain Small Vessel Disease, Early Prevention Recommended

CUHK Screening Reveals 1 in 3 Older Adults in Community Suffer Brain Small Vessel Disease, Early Prevention Recommended

Clinical service
CUHK Latest Research Reveals FMT Effectiveness Triples that of Conventional Treatment

CUHK Latest Research Reveals FMT Effectiveness Triples that of Conventional Treatment

Research
CUHK Introduces High Frequency Oscillations to Determine Resection Margin Increases the Effectiveness of Complex Epilepsy Surgery by around 30%

CUHK Introduces High Frequency Oscillations to Determine Resection Margin Increases the Effectiveness of Complex Epilepsy Surgery by around 30%

Surgical advancement
CUHK Highlights the Significance of Hospital Infection Control System in Controlling MERS

CUHK Highlights the Significance of Hospital Infection Control System in Controlling MERS

Research
CUHK Advocates Stringent Control of Cardiovascular Risks for Reopening of Narrowed Brain Arteries - A New Paradigm to Prevent Recurrent Stroke (Available in Chinese only)

CUHK Advocates Stringent Control of Cardiovascular Risks for Reopening of Narrowed Brain Arteries - A New Paradigm to Prevent Recurrent Stroke (Available in Chinese only)

Research
CUHK Study Reveals Peer Support Can Reduce Hospital Admission of Distressed Diabetes Patients

CUHK Study Reveals Peer Support Can Reduce Hospital Admission of Distressed Diabetes Patients

Research
Joint Study by CUHK and HKSH Reveals Patients with Comorbid REM Sleep Behavior Disorder and Depression may Suffer from Early-stage Neurodegeneration

Joint Study by CUHK and HKSH Reveals Patients with Comorbid REM Sleep Behavior Disorder and Depression may Suffer from Early-stage Neurodegeneration

Research
CUHK Advocates Atrial Fibrillation Screening and Drug Education to Reduce Risk of Stroke among Elderly

CUHK Advocates Atrial Fibrillation Screening and Drug Education to Reduce Risk of Stroke among Elderly

Clinical service
Screening Reveals Over 50% Community-dwelling Population Aged 65 or above are Pre-frail

Screening Reveals Over 50% Community-dwelling Population Aged 65 or above are Pre-frail

Research
CUHK and PolyU Jointly Introduce TeleStroke for 24-hour Thrombolysis Service at Prince of Wales Hospital

CUHK and PolyU Jointly Introduce TeleStroke for 24-hour Thrombolysis Service at Prince of Wales Hospital

Clinical service
CUHK Releases Research Results on Employment Status of Hong Kong Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Dialysis Patients and Promotes Predialysis Education Programme for Mid to Late Stage CKD patients

CUHK Releases Research Results on Employment Status of Hong Kong Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Dialysis Patients and Promotes Predialysis Education Programme for Mid to Late Stage CKD patients

Research
CUHK Announces Latest Medical Treatment for Minor Stroke

CUHK Announces Latest Medical Treatment for Minor Stroke

Research
Hong Kong and Macau Among Top Three Regions in Asia-Pacific with the Highest Incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease CUHK Establishes Registry to Increase Public Awareness

Hong Kong and Macau Among Top Three Regions in Asia-Pacific with the Highest Incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease CUHK Establishes Registry to Increase Public Awareness

Research
CUHK Assessed and Treated Over 300 Young Ketamine Abusers with Urinary Tract Dysfunction Latest Research Reveals Effectiveness of Integrated Anti-inflammatory Therapy

CUHK Assessed and Treated Over 300 Young Ketamine Abusers with Urinary Tract Dysfunction Latest Research Reveals Effectiveness of Integrated Anti-inflammatory Therapy

Research
CUHK Received Four Ministry of Education Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards The Highest Share among Hong Kong Institutions

CUHK Received Four Ministry of Education Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards The Highest Share among Hong Kong Institutions

Awards and honors
CUHK and Shanghai Jiao Tong University Discover Genetic Predictor of Diabetes in Chinese Patients

CUHK and Shanghai Jiao Tong University Discover Genetic Predictor of Diabetes in Chinese Patients

Research
CUHK Pioneers the Use of 3D Echocardiography to Identify At-Risk Mitral Valve Prolapse Patients

CUHK Pioneers the Use of 3D Echocardiography to Identify At-Risk Mitral Valve Prolapse Patients

Research
CUHK Advocates Palliative Care for Advanced Dementia Patients with Swallowing Problems

CUHK Advocates Palliative Care for Advanced Dementia Patients with Swallowing Problems

Research

Our Expert List

Many experts under the Faculty of Medicine are available for media interview.
Please click here for the expert list or contact us.