Fatty liver disease is very common worldwide, affecting an estimated 25 percent of the population. Despite the existence of an effective vaccine against the hepatitis B virus, it is estimated that around 296 million people worldwide have this infection, representing approximately 3.8% of the global population. For this reason, both liver diseases can coexist in the same patient, which can have significant consequences for their clinical course and treatment.
Multiple studies have shown that hepatitis B virus infection can influence the natural history of fatty liver disease by increasing inflammation and promoting fibrosis (disease progression). For this reason, it is important to treat it with antiviral medications in patients who simultaneously have this infection and fatty liver disease, in order to reduce inflammation and prevent the development of fibrosis.
Joint treatment of both diseases
Several studies have demonstrated that the coexistence of this liver disease and hepatitis B produces more inflammation and liver damage than either disease alone.
It is important to treat both conditions simultaneously in patients with fatty liver and hepatitis B. Several antiviral drugs are available to treat hepatitis B (entecavir, tenofovir, peginterferon, etc.). Fatty liver must also be treated through lifestyle changes, such as weight loss (between 7 and 10 percent of baseline weight), increasing moderate physical activity to between 150 and 300 minutes per week or intense physical activity to between 75 and 150 minutes per week, and correcting any abnormal metabolic parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, etc.).
Dr. Carreño and the doctors at the Foundation always consider these therapeutic strategies when treating our patients with fatty liver and hepatitis B.
