We established the fatty liver research team in 2004 to study the natural history, novel investigations and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In collaboration with other European and Asian centers, we performed a series of studies to define the clinical use of transient elastography in NAFLD patients (Hepatology 2010, J Hepatol 2012, Am J Gastroenterol 2012, J Hepatol 2017). In addition, we pioneered the use of proton-magnetic resonance spectroscopy to quantify liver fat. Using these state-of-the-art tests, we found that 27% of the general adult population in Hong Kong suffers from NAFLD, of which 4% also have severe fibrosis or cirrhosis (Gut 2012). We further showed that over 10% of diabetic patients might have severe liver fibrosis or cirrhosis (Gut 2016).
Our current programme is focused on biomarkers for NAFLD severity and early liver cancer detection (J Hepatol 2012, Hepatology 2013). We are also one of the leading sites in international drug trials for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.