A new study from Linköping University has found that nearly six out of every ten people with type 2 diabetes also have fatty liver disease.
This discovery is important because it helps explain why some people with diabetes are at higher risk of developing serious liver problems. The study was published in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
Fatty liver disease happens when too much fat builds up in the liver. When it gets worse, it can turn into a serious condition called cirrhosis, where the liver becomes scarred and stops working properly. In some cases, cirrhosis can lead to liver failure or liver cancer.
The researchers focused on a specific type of fatty liver called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, or MASLD. This condition was previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
MASLD is now one of the most common liver problems in the world. It is closely linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes. In Sweden, about one in five adults may have MASLD. Around the world, that number may be as high as one in three.
In this study, the researchers wanted to find out how common fatty liver and early signs of liver scarring are among people with type 2 diabetes who visit regular doctors for check-ups. Most previous studies had looked at patients in specialist clinics, who often have more serious disease.
To get a better picture of the general population, the team studied over 300 people with type 2 diabetes from primary care clinics.
Using MRI scans, they found that about 59% of the participants had fatty liver. The researchers also used a special ultrasound test that measures how stiff the liver is. A stiffer liver can be a sign of early scarring or cirrhosis. This test showed that about 7% of people in the study had signs of early liver scarring.
This number is lower than in some earlier studies, which may be because this study looked at patients who were not already seeing liver specialists. Still, the finding is important. It suggests that even people with type 2 diabetes who are not seriously ill may already have liver problems.
Another key finding from the study is that obesity increases the risk. People with both type 2 diabetes and obesity were much more likely to have signs of early liver scarring. In this group, 13% had early scarring, compared to only 2% in people with diabetes but no obesity.
This supports the idea that doctors should pay special attention to people who have both conditions. Wile Balkhed, a doctor and researcher involved in the study, said that this group should be a top priority for health care providers. By identifying these high-risk individuals early, doctors can take steps to help prevent serious liver problems.
The good news is that fatty liver can often be improved. Losing weight can reduce the amount of fat in the liver and lower the risk of future damage. This makes early detection especially important.
The study is just the beginning. The researchers plan to follow the same patients for five more years to see how their liver health changes over time. This will help them learn more about who is most at risk and how to better prevent serious disease.
The study was a large team effort. It included experts in liver disease, diabetes care, medical imaging, and several other fields. The research was done in partnership with local health centers and with the support of Linköping University and AMRA Medical AB.
In conclusion, the study shows that fatty liver is common in people with type 2 diabetes, especially those who are also obese. Most of these people do not yet have serious liver disease, but some do show early signs of damage. Finding these individuals early could help prevent more serious problems in the future.
If you care about liver health, please read studies about a diet that can treat fatty liver disease and obesity, and coffee drinkers may halve their risk of liver cancer.
For more information about liver health, please see recent studies that anti-inflammatory diet could help prevent fatty liver disease, and results showing vitamin D could help prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
