System supports earlier diagnosis of liver disease

A new digital tool has been launched with the aim of potentially preventing liver disease in some patients and helping to provide an earlier diagnosis for others.

Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust said the system called hepatoSIGHT was being used by clinicians to help find people who may be at risk, potentially before symptoms appear.

The trust said it worked by securely analysing patterns in historic blood test results that are already held within the NHS system.

It said the technology helped doctors look at patterns that suggested someone could benefit from further checks of their liver health, which were often "hidden".

Liver disease is a "major public health issue in England", and more than 11,000 people die from it each year, the trust said.

It said many people think the disease only affected people who drunk alcohol but that was untrue, because it could be caused by genetic conditions, autoimmune disease and metabolic conditions such as fatty liver disease.

"Many people are affected who have never drunk alcohol at all," the trust added.

Liz Farrington, consultant nurse in hepatology, said working with innovative digital tools helped find people who might otherwise be diagnosed "too late".

She said: "Evidence from our NHS partners shows that earlier identification can genuinely change lives, and we are proud to be bringing this approach to patients in Cornwall."

The trust added the new system did not make the diagnosis but supported clinicians by helping them decide who to invite for "simple follow-up tests" so care could be offered earlier.

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