A MAJOR UK research programme launched this month aimed to screen up to 42,000 adults in primary care for early signs of liver disease, with the goal of improving early diagnosis and preventing progression to advanced liver damage.
Early liver disease often goes undetected
Liver disease is a leading cause of premature mortality in the UK, yet it is frequently diagnosed at a late stage when treatment options are limited. Risk factors such as harmful alcohol use, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes are common, but early liver disease often develops without symptoms, delaying clinical recognition.
Early detection could enable timely lifestyle interventions, monitoring, and referral to specialist care, potentially reducing rates of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Trial design and funding
The Diagnosis of Liver Disease in Primary Care (DIALS) trial was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and involved GP practices across the UK. The study aimed to evaluate whether systematic screening using non-invasive liver tests could improve identification of early liver disease in people considered at high risk.
Adults were invited for screening based on recognised risk factors, including alcohol consumption, metabolic disease, and obesity.
Non-invasive screening methods
Participants underwent a combination of non-invasive liver assessments designed to detect fibrosis or early liver damage without the need for biopsy. Patients with abnormal results were referred for further evaluation and management in secondary care.
The approach reflected growing interest in shifting liver disease detection into community settings, enabling earlier intervention before irreversible damage occurred.
Potential impact on clinical practice
Researchers noted that improving diagnosis in primary care could represent a major shift in how liver disease is managed within the NHS. Earlier identification could allow clinicians to implement targeted lifestyle advice, medical optimisation, and specialist referral at a stage when disease progression may still be prevented.
The findings were expected to inform future screening strategies and healthcare policy, particularly in populations with a high burden of liver disease risk factors.
Future directions
While the trial focused on feasibility and diagnostic yield, longer-term follow-up will be required to determine whether earlier diagnosis translates into improved clinical outcomes and reduced healthcare burden.
The investigators concluded that primary care-based screening could play a key role in addressing the growing public health challenge of liver disease in the UK.
Reference
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. Study on early liver disease could have ‘profound effect’ on NHS. 2026. Available at: https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/news/study-early-liver-disease-could-have-profound-effect-nhs. Last accessed: 08 January 2026.
