Forty-nine percent of the Spanish population does not identify the liver as a vital organ, a figure that rises to 67 percent among young people aged 18 to 24. In addition, 55 percent admit they do not know what fatty liver is, a disease that affects more than 10 million people in Spain, around 25% of the inhabitants, according to the first Barometer of Fatty Liver prepared by the Spanish Federation of the Liver (FEH).
The report also reveals that 92 percent of respondents blame the patient themselves for their illness, while only 24 percent recognize the key influence of genetic and metabolic factors. Almost half of Spaniards (46%) are unaware that fatty liver increases the risk of stroke; 41 percent do not know that it is directly linked to myocardial infarction, and 70 percent ignore that it may eventually require a transplant.
The research, conducted as part of a month dedicated to raising awareness about liver cancer, whose World Day is celebrated on October 30, has been carried out with a sample of 1,512 people. The study evaluates the level of knowledge of the public about this disease, clinically referred to as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD/MASH).
Regarding the lack of information about its clinical course and prognosis, 35 percent of the population does not know that it is a silent condition, which progresses without giving signs or causing discomfort until advanced stages. Among those under 35 years old, this percentage rises to 50%. At the same time, 32 percent mistakenly believe that it is an irreversible condition, not taking into account that, if detected early, it can be reversed.
"Fatty liver is the great silent epidemic of the 21st century. The fact that more than a third of the population does not know that it progresses without presenting symptoms greatly hinders early diagnosis and timely intervention in primary care," explains Josep María Martínez Rodríguez, vice president of the Spanish Federation of the Liver in Spain.
On the other hand, 77 percent attribute the origin of this pathology solely to "bad individual habits" (diet and lack of exercise), while only 24 percent recognize the decisive role of genetics and metabolism. Likewise, 53 percent of the participants in the barometer believe that fatty liver only affects people who are overweight or obese. This idea generates a false sense of security in those who have a normal body mass index but present metabolic dysfunction, which contributes to delaying the diagnosis.
"Attributing fatty liver solely to lifestyle is an unfair and dangerous simplification. Believing that it is exclusive to overweight people or blaming the patient generates a stigma that drives patients away from consultations and makes many people with normal weight ignore that they are also at risk," points out Martínez Rodríguez.