New Delhi, Sep 29 (NationPress) A groundbreaking blood test has emerged that could potentially forecast the risk of developing severe liver disease within the next decade, as revealed by a recent study.

The research, conducted by experts at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, indicates that this straightforward blood analysis, when integrated into primary care settings, could significantly enhance early detection of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Rickard Strandberg, an affiliated researcher from the Institutet's Department of Medicine and the developer of the test, commented, "These diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent and have a bleak prognosis if identified late."

He further added, "Our innovative method can predict the likelihood of severe liver disease within 10 years and relies on three routine blood tests."

The study, which has been published in The BMJ, assessed the efficacy of this method in estimating the risk of serious liver ailments.

This model, known as CORE, was created using advanced statistical techniques and takes into account five critical factors: age, sex, and the levels of three standard liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and GGT), typically measured during regular health assessments.

Principal investigator Hannes Hagström, an adjunct professor at the Karolinska Institutet's Department of Medicine, stated, "This represents a significant advancement in our ability to facilitate early screening for liver disease in primary care."

Even with existing drug treatments available for individuals at high risk of developing liver disorders such as cirrhosis or liver cancer, Hagström emphasized that this new test could hold considerable promise.

The research is based on data from over 480,000 individuals in Stockholm who underwent health evaluations between 1985 and 1996, with follow-ups extending up to 30 years.

The CORE model demonstrated high accuracy, successfully distinguishing between individuals who did or did not develop liver disease in 88 percent of cases, according to the study team.