Fatty Liver Epidemic Affects One Fifth of Population, Shown by UK Biobank MRI Study

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The scientists have been studying images from the UK Biobank MRI imaging study, the world's biggest study of its kind ever undertaken.

In the past, diagnosing liver disease has relied upon invasive biopsies, but LiverMultiScan Discover^TM technology, developed from the University of Oxford by Perspectum Diagnostics, can identify people with disease in a painless and safe 15-minute scan.

Liver disease has been highlighted by Dame Sally Davies, the Chief Medical Officer, as a major public health concern. The research published today shows that people with excess liver fat are more likely to have high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and diabetes.

UK Biobank is a major national and international resource following the health of 500,000 people who were aged 40-69 years when they joined the study. Results from Perspectum Diagnostics are some of the first to come out of the imaging part of the UK Biobank resource, which plans to scan the hearts, brains and abdomens of 100,000 participants.

Perspectum Diagnostics' Dr Rajarshi Banerjee, said it was exciting that the study was providing answers to important questions so quickly. "We know that fatty liver disease is a major health problem and it is important to develop new techniques that allow doctors to make quick and accurate diagnoses that don't cause distress to patients," he said.

Dr Louise Thomas, Senior Lecturer at the University of Westminster added "being able to look at the risk of liver fat in such a large population in the UK Biobank is a unique opportunity and will help us to understand more about how fatty liver disease develops."

Professor Cathie Sudlow, UK Biobank's Chief Scientist, welcomed the development. "The goal of UK Biobank is to improve health. It is exciting to see these advances emerging from the resource, which is becoming increasingly valuable over time. We look forward to seeing further results of relevance to understanding and treating major diseases as the resource matures."

This study was a joint project between scientists from Perspectum Diagnostics, and the University of Westminster, as part of an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership. The work was done in collaboration with the UK Biobank and Imperial College London.

Read to full article here: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0172921

About Perspectum Diagnostics 

Perspectum Diagnostics is a medical imaging company, founded by scientists and physicians from the University of Oxford. It has pioneered the use of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to accurately detect and measure biomarkers of liver disease. Available in over 50 hospitals and clinics on five continents, LiverMultiScan Discover^TM enables quantitative liver assessment in a safe, non-invasive, 15-minute MRI scan. The technology is currently being used to assess primary endpoints in clinical trials for investigational therapies to treat NAFLD and NASH.

About UK BioBank 

The resource is funded by the Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, and the British Heart Foundation, and is transforming researchers' ability to investigate a wide range of common painful and life-threatening disorders.

About the University of Westminster 

The University of Westminster has a distinguished 175-year history, and boasts a vibrant learning environment that attracting more than 20,000 international students. We continue to invest in our future with innovative research and redevelopment. We offer highly attractive and highly rated practice-based courses, many with international recognition. Visit https://www.westminster.ac.uk/

Contact
Dr Rajarshi Banerjee
Tel: +44-(0)1865-261457
[email protected]

http://perspectum-diagnostics.com

SOURCE Perspectum Diagnostics