Liver in the Balance: Tackling Fatty Liver Disease in Primary Care

Gastroenterology (Digestive Health), Primary Care / Family Medicine

With the rising prevalence of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and its more severe form, MASH, Canada faces a growing public health challenge that impacts millions and strains the healthcare system. Affecting an estimated 25% of adults - about 8 million people - MASLD is the most common liver disease in the country. Of these, around 20% (or 1.5 million Canadians) are living with MASH, a progressive condition that can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure, cancer, and the need for transplantation. Often underdiagnosed due to its silent progression, MASH is already the second leading cause of liver transplants in North America. As prevalence rates are projected to rise significantly by 2050, early identification and management in primary care are critical. 

To support this, the PLP launched a two-part learning series for family physicians and their teams. With guidance from our PLP medical director, Dr. Puneeta Tandon, and led by Dr. Mang Ma, the sessions focused on identifying at-risk patients - such as those with obesity, metabolic disorders, or a genetic predisposition - and providing practical strategies for screening and primary care management to slow disease progression and reduce long-term complications. These webinars provided practical insights and tools to enhance patient care and support continuous improvement in diabetes and kidney management.