Blood Donation Rejection Reveals Hepatitis; 34-Year-Old Realtor's Fatty Liver Disease Serves as a Warning

(CNA, Reporter: Lin Chiao-lien, Kaohsiung, June 9) A 34-year-old real estate agent surnamed Hsu in Kaohsiung was rejected for blood donation, which unexpectedly revealed abnormal liver function. He was subsequently diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The medical community points out that the prevalence of MASLD in Taiwanese adults has reached 33.3%, and failure to treat it promptly could increase the risk of liver cancer.

A press conference on "Kaohsiung Fatty Liver Health Education" was held today at the Kaohsiung Marriott Hotel, attended by Dr. Ming-Lung Yu, president of the Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver, and Dr. Jen-Hao Yeh, Director of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at E-Da Dachang Hospital. The case of the 34-year-old Mr. Hsu's treatment for abnormal liver enzyme levels was shared at the event.

Dr. Yu stated that Mr. Hsu had been a regular blood donor for years and previously considered himself healthy. However, due to high work pressure, irregular meals, and frequent social dining in recent years, his weight surged from 56 kg to nearly 80 kg within six months. He initially thought he had just gained weight, but after being rejected for blood donation, a check-up revealed his liver function indices, GOT and GPT, had soared past 300, leading to a diagnosis of MASLD.

Dr. Yu pointed out that as Hepatitis B and C are gradually brought under control, the threat of liver disease in Taiwan is shifting to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). According to statistics, the prevalence among Taiwanese adults is 33.3%, higher than the global average of 30.5%, with an estimated nearly 7 million people affected. Among them, about 40% of the core workforce aged 30 to 50 have fatty liver problems.

Dr. Yu mentioned that the World Health Assembly in 2026 has renamed the former "fatty liver" to "steatotic liver disease" (SLD) and listed it as a global priority for chronic disease prevention and control. If fatty liver progresses to MASLD or liver fibrosis, it can increase the risk of liver cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

According to research statistics, about 20% of liver cancers are related to fatty liver, and patients' average life expectancy may be shortened by about 4 years. Furthermore, the cause of death for about 70% of MASLD patients is related to cardiovascular diseases.

Dr. Yeh said that after receiving treatment and adjusting his lifestyle, Mr. Hsu quit sugary drinks and fried foods, lost 6 kg in two months, and his liver function indices have significantly decreased. Fatty liver often has no symptoms in its early stages, and many patients only discover abnormalities during health check-ups. However, if there is already a risk of liver inflammation, fibrosis, or coexisting metabolic problems like obesity or diabetes, it is not enough to simply "eat less, move more, and follow up regularly."

Dr. Yeh noted that the care for fatty liver is gradually shifting from passive follow-up to active management. In addition to weight control, it is also necessary to manage blood sugar, visceral fat, and cardiovascular risks simultaneously. With the advent of new treatment options, early intervention can help improve liver inflammation and delay disease progression. (Editor: Lee Heng-shan) 1150609