Search
What are you looking for?
Start main content

Press Releases

Press Releases

https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/cuhk-develops-lifestyle-modification-program-for-fatty-liver-patients-60-patients-recovered-without-use-of-drugs
https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/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

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide.  It affects 27% of the Hong Kong population, 4% of which also suffers from severe liver fibrosis or cirrhosis.  NAFLD is strongly associated with obesity and therefore the number of patients is rising with the growing trend of obesity in Hong Kong.  There is currently no approved drug for the treatment of NAFLD.  The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has thus developed a lifestyle modification program for NAFLD patients to control the disease by dietary management and programmed exercises.  The efficacy of the program was also verified by a randomized controlled trial.  Results showed that over 60% of patients participating in the program recovered without use of drugs.  

 

(from left) Assistant Professor Mandy Man Mei SEA, Manager & Principal Nutritionist, Centre for Nutritional Studies, CUHK; Professor Henry Lik Yuen CHAN, Director, Centre for Liver Health, CUHK and Professor Vincent Wai Sun WONG, Deputy Director, Centre for Liver Health, CUHK and Dr Chung Fai YAU, Research Associate, Centre for Nutritional Studies, CUHK introduce the research findings of the Lifestyle Modification Program and announce that 60% patients recovered without use of drugs.

(from left) Assistant Professor Mandy Man Mei SEA, Manager & Principal Nutritionist, Centre for Nutritional Studies, CUHK; Professor Henry Lik Yuen CHAN, Director, Centre for Liver Health, CUHK and Professor Vincent Wai Sun WONG, Deputy Director, Centre for Liver Health, CUHK and Dr Chung Fai YAU, Research Associate, Centre for Nutritional Studies, CUHK introduce the research findings of the Lifestyle Modification Program and announce that 60% patients recovered without use of drugs.

 

The lifestyle modification program is guided by dietitians and exercise instructors.  Each patient was required to follow a customized diet comprising fruits and vegetables, moderate-carbohydrate, low-fat, low-glycaemic index and low-calorific products.  The patients are also required to exercise 30 minutes a day, 3 to 5 times a week under the supervision of an exercise instructor.  From 2008 to 2012, the Center for Liver Health, the Centre for Nutritional Studies and the Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology of CUHK jointly conducted a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of a lifestyle modification program.  154 NAFLD patients were randomly assigned to join the lifestyle modification program or receive usual care.    

 

After one year, 64% of patients participating in the lifestyle modification program had complete remission of NAFLD, compared to only 20% in the control group receiving usual care.  The results of weight reduction of the two groups are tabulated below:

 

 Lifestyle modification groupUsual care group
Average weight reduction12.3 lbs1.3 lbs
Weight reduction > 10%39%0%

 

The study showed that weight reduction was the key factor associated with remission of NAFLD.  In the lifestyle modification group, 97% of patients who lost over 10% of body weight had complete remission of NAFLD.  

 

The results indicated that the lifestyle modification program developed by CUHK focusing on customized diet and supervised exercise is an effective treatment for NAFLD.  Members of the public who wish to register for the program please visit http://livercenter.com.hk for more details.  

 

Assistant Professor Mandy Man Mei SEA, Manager & Principal Nutritionist, Centre for Nutritional Studies, CUHK indicates that most fatty liver patients could recover with the guidance of dietitian and exercise instructor without the use of medication.

Assistant Professor Mandy Man Mei SEA, Manager & Principal Nutritionist, Centre for Nutritional Studies, CUHK indicates that most fatty liver patients could recover with the guidance of dietitian and exercise instructor without the use of medication.

Professor Vincent Wai Sun WONG, Deputy Director, Centre for Liver Health, CUHK demonstrates the fibroscan which allows accurate assessment of the status on liver fibrosis and fatty liver.

Professor Vincent Wai Sun WONG, Deputy Director, Centre for Liver Health, CUHK demonstrates the fibroscan which allows accurate assessment of the status on liver fibrosis and fatty liver.

 

Dr Chung Fai YAU, Research Associate, Centre for Nutritional Studies, CUHK, together with Mr SUM, a fatty liver patient, demonstrate exercise of the Lifestyle Modification Program. It is recommended that patients should exercise 30 minutes a day, 3 to 5 times a week.

Dr Chung Fai YAU, Research Associate, Centre for Nutritional Studies, CUHK, together with Mr SUM, a fatty liver patient, demonstrate exercise of the Lifestyle Modification Program. It is recommended that patients should exercise 30 minutes a day, 3 to 5 times a week.

More Press Releases

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

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

Research
CUHK Launches Hong Kong’s First Free Mobile App on Weight Management ‘My Wellness Tracker HK’

CUHK Launches Hong Kong’s First Free Mobile App on Weight Management ‘My Wellness Tracker HK’

Health Campaign
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 Nethersole School of Nursing Organises Community Caring Day in Hybrid Mode  to Promote Aged Care and Intergenerational Solidarity

CUHK Nethersole School of Nursing Organises Community Caring Day in Hybrid Mode to Promote Aged Care and Intergenerational Solidarity

Milestone
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 Promotes The “May Measurement Month” in Response to World Hypertension Day, Calling for Public Awareness on Blood Pressure

CUHK Promotes The “May Measurement Month” in Response to World Hypertension Day, Calling for Public Awareness on Blood Pressure

Health Campaign
CUHK Establishes New Training Station for Chinese Medicine Students

CUHK Establishes New Training Station for Chinese Medicine Students

Clinical service
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 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
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 Develops Resource Kit to Enhance Social Skills Among Autistic Students To be Promoted to All Local Schools

CUHK Develops Resource Kit to Enhance Social Skills Among Autistic Students To be Promoted to All Local Schools

Health Campaign
CUHK Launches Territory-wide Screening Study for Early Detection of Nasopharynx Cancer Now Recruiting 20,000 Citizens to Join

CUHK Launches Territory-wide Screening Study for Early Detection of Nasopharynx Cancer Now Recruiting 20,000 Citizens to Join

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.