NE HEALTH BUREAU
CHENNAI, OCT 31
A liver disease that can progress without obvious symptoms is prompting a call for action on the streets of Chennai. More than 150 cycling enthusiasts took part in MGM Healthcare’s ‘Pedal for Liver’ cyclothon, turning an early-morning community ride into a public health message: regular physical activity, timely medical assessment and healthier everyday choices can help protect long-term liver health.
- 150-plus cyclists join the cause: MGM Healthcare’s ‘Pedal for Liver’ initiative puts liver health and preventive care in the spotlight
- Disease can progress silently: MASLD is linked to obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and sedentary lifestyles
- Early assessment matters: Liver specialist highlights FibroScan as a non-invasive tool to assess liver stiffness and estimate liver fat
- 20-doctor expert panel convened: Specialists work towards standardising diagnosis, assessment and treatment approaches for fatty liver disease
- Preventive care gets a push: Participants offered a 50% discount coupon for FibroScan at MGM Healthcare
Organised by MGM Healthcare in association with Vada Chennai Cyclists, the 2.5-km cyclothon was part of the hospital’s annual liver awareness initiative, with this October’s campaign focusing on fatty liver disease.
V.K. Ramkumar, MLA, Annanagar Constituency, flagged off the event in the presence of Dr. Thiagarajan Srinivasan, Senior Consultant and Director, Institute of Liver Diseases, Transplant & HPB Surgery; Pathmanaban, Chief Executive Officer; and Rajesh Agarwala, Medical Service Director, MGM Healthcare.
Fatty liver: The danger that may go unnoticed
Fatty liver disease is increasingly associated with metabolic health problems, including obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol, as well as sedentary lifestyles. The condition is now commonly discussed under the terminology Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD).
Because the disease may develop without noticeable symptoms, people can remain unaware of the condition until it becomes more advanced. In some cases, it can progress to liver inflammation, fibrosis and serious liver disease.
The concern reinforces the importance of recognising metabolic risk factors, seeking appropriate medical advice and avoiding the assumption that an absence of symptoms necessarily means the liver is healthy.
‘Give liver health the same importance’
Dr. Thiagarajan Srinivasan stressed the importance of early identification and appropriate intervention.
“It is high time we give liver health the same importance as every other aspect of our well-being. Fatty liver disease often advances silently, so it is vital to detect it early, especially in individuals with high risk factors,” he said.
Explaining the role of non-invasive assessment, he added: “FibroScan, a non-invasive assessment, evaluates liver stiffness, an indicator of fibrosis, and also estimates liver fat using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). However, the need for testing should be determined by a healthcare professional based on clinical assessment.”
He emphasised that early identification, appropriate evaluation and timely lifestyle and medical intervention can help prevent disease progression and protect long-term liver health.
“Balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, limiting alcohol and maintaining a healthy weight go a long way. It is important to make small, consistent changes from today,” he said.
20-doctor panel focuses on better diagnosis and treatment
Beyond public awareness, MGM Healthcare has also focused on strengthening professional understanding of MASLD.
According to Dr. Srinivasan, an expert panel of 20 doctors, including liver specialists, gastroenterologists, physicians, endocrinologists, surgeons and nutritionists, convened to establish standards for diagnosing the condition.
The panel also worked towards standardising the use of non-invasive assessment tools such as FibroScan and examining treatment approaches ranging from dietary and lifestyle modifications to pharmacological therapy and bariatric surgery, where clinically appropriate.
To share these developments with healthcare professionals, the hospital organised a continuing medical education programme titled ‘A Practical Update on Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease’ on October 21.
More than 120 doctors attended the programme to deepen their understanding of the condition and support wider awareness, he added.
Cyclothon links physical activity with preventive care
As part of the initiative, registered participants were offered a coupon providing a 50% discount on FibroScan at MGM Healthcare.
The offer was intended to draw attention to liver health assessment and encourage people to take informed steps towards preventive care. The need for such testing, however, should be determined through appropriate clinical assessment rather than assumed solely on the basis of participation in the event.
Through ‘Pedal for Liver’, MGM Healthcare aims to encourage people to incorporate physical activity and healthier habits into their daily routines while promoting early identification of health risks and patient-centred preventive care.
The larger message extends beyond a single morning’s ride: protecting liver health begins with awareness, continues through consistent lifestyle choices and, when indicated, includes timely medical evaluation.
Ride for a cause. Raise awareness. Put liver health first!