An innovative new clinic is set to be piloted in Knowsley to help tackle high rates of liver disease in the region.
Dr Theresa Hydes from the Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences has received funding from the British Society of Gastroenterology charity GUTS UK to establish the Knowsley Healthy Liver Clinic in collaboration with the hepatology and diabetes departments at Aintree University Hospital and Dr Mike Merriman’s team at Millbrook Medical Centre in Kirkby.
The clinic aims to improve the early detection and management of liver disease, particularly among patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes, by screening for fatty liver disease and early liver scarring using a non-invasive bedside test known as a 'fibroscan.' This test will offer much-needed assistance in a region where obesity rates and mortality from fatty liver disease are among the highest in the country.
Fatty liver disease often progresses silently, potentially leading to severe liver scarring and the need for a liver transplant. It is also linked with a higher risk of cardiovascular events. To address this, the clinic will include a 'one-stop' health check to screen for related conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and to assess the risk of heart and kidney disease, which share the same metabolic drivers as fatty liver disease.
The team has also created the 'Kirkby Kitchen Cookbook' in collaboration with patients and nutrition students from Liverpool John Moores University. This ‘cookbook’ will be distributed at the clinic, promoting healthy eating habits, and supporting patients in their journey towards better liver health.
Dr Hydes, a Clinical Lecturer in Hepatology in the Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating: "I am extremely grateful to have received this award from GUTS UK to fund a project which aims to address a significant knowledge gap in this field. Specifically, whether it is beneficial for patients and cost-effective for the NHS to provide targeted screening for fatty liver disease accompanied by relevant support. I am fortunate to work with a fantastic team including patients who have helped co-develop this initiative and am excited to see the results."
Dy Hydes and her team will gather data from the clinic to present at the British Society of Gastroenterology annual meeting in June 2025 and aim to publish their findings in a high-impact journal. The data gathered will provide valuable insights and potentially inform widespread changes in targeted screening policies for those at risk of fatty liver disease, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes and address health inequalities in one of the UK's most deprived areas.