£14k Raigmore donation helps battle liver disease; new kit helps at-risk patients make lifestylr changes
ROSS-SHIRE patients using the Highlands' main hospital will benefit from a newly acquired high-tech piece of kit playing a part in detecting an increased risk of liver disease.
The equipment, which can measure the amount of fat in a patient’s liver using a simple non-invasive test, has also been credited with helping people understand their own predicament and motivate them to take the necessary steps to stay fit.
The boost comes thanks to a £14,750 software donation from the Friends of Raigmore, a voluntary group which has raised cash for hundreds of thousands worth of kit for the hospital.
Fatty liver disease, related to obesity and type 2 diabetes, is the second most common cause of liver disease in Scotland, and it is on the increase.
The Fibroscan machine secured can check for scarring caused by a number of conditions including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic viral hepatitis and excess alcohol intake.
The new CAP (controlled attenuation parameter) software that has been added to the Fibroscan allows the team to measure the percentage of fat in the liver, even when it is below 30 per cent, the level at which ultrasound is unable to do so.
The more fat in the liver, the greater the risk of developing non-alcoholic steaohepatitis, which can lead to the development of cirrhosis and its associated complications as well as a greater risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Dr Andrea Broad, consultant gastroenterologist for NHS Highland, said: “This software allows early detection of steatosis, also known as fatty liver, which would never be detected on ultrasound. The CAP reading isn't influenced by liver inflammation whereas fibroscan results are. CAP allows us to identify patients who are high risk and enables us to assess patients post hepatitis C treatment, offering valuable information regarding the type of surveillance they require.
“It is also a useful tool for us to use when educating patients on non alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is fast becoming the most prevalent type of liver disease. Patients work well with a scoring system, and when they adhere to advised lifestyle changes such as weight loss, they feel rewarded when their result demonstrates a reduction.
“It is easy to use, non invasive and we can give patients an immediate result. It allows an early opportunity to offer advice on how to self manage their fatty liver disease before it turns into something much more significant.”
Dr Broad added: “It’s a fantastic addition to the department and we are incredibly grateful to the Friends for this donation.”
Christina Cameron, chairwoman of the Friends of Raigmore, said: “We’re so pleased to have been able to hand over this software and to hear about how it will benefit the department and patients in Highland. We are an entirely voluntary group and without our team of dedicated volunteers we would not have reached this wonderful target.
“Apart from our public liability insurance, every penny raised in our Raigmore Hospital shop goes towards our fundraising and we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported this project, by either donating or purchasing from the shop.
“As a group, we’ve had so much backing which allows us to support the hospital in ways which benefit patients.”
The Friends of Raigmore are always looking for new volunteers. Anyone who is interested should contact them on 01463 705155 or visit their shop in Raigmore Hospital (Zone 5).
