Liver screening must be routine in diabetes |
A few days ago, a senior patient walked into my clinic. As part of routine assessment, I asked about appetite and any abdominal discomfort. He replied calmly, “It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t disturb my routine… bas thodi si thakaan hai, halki si pait mein bechaini, aur bhook bhi kam ho gayi hai. Ab umar ho rahi hai, yeh sab to hota hai.”
There was nothing alarming in his tone—only acceptance. Yet, given his 15-year history of diabetes, I advised further evaluation. The investigations told a different story: silently progressing liver damage, far beyond simple fatty liver. That encounter stayed with me—and it is precisely why this needs to be spoken about.
A recent large study has brought to light a deeply concerning reality: one in four people living with diabetes may already have hidden liver damage—without knowing it. For a country like India, with a rapidly growing elderly population and an enormous burden of diabetes, this is not just a medical finding. It is a public health warning. For seniors, this issue demands urgent attention.
Beyond sugar: Missing piece in diabetes care
For years, diabetes care has revolved around controlling blood sugar and preventing complications related to the eyes, kidneys, and heart. These are undoubtedly important. However, what has remained relatively under-recognised is the silent impact of diabetes on the liver.
The liver plays a central role in........