Korean J Med.  1999 Sep;57(3):281-287.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in chronic liver disease

• Lee HC
• Huh KB
• Hong SK
• Roh HJ
• Choi BJ
• An SH
• Suh I
• Han KH

Abstract

The insulin resistance and the altered glucose metabolism in chronic liver disease increase the alteration of glucose intolerance and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of DM is higher in advanced cirrhosis than in early cirrhosis and higher in C-viral hepatitis or alcoholic liver disease than in B-viral hepatitis. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of DM in chronic liver disease in Korea.
METHODS
We reviewed the medical records of 417 patients with chronic liver disease who visit the Yonsei University Sevrance Hospital from January 1994 to March 1998. We examined fasting blood sugar, biochemical study and abdominal ultrasonography. DM was defined on the basis of fasting hyperglycemia (fasting blood sugar exceeding 140 mg/dl) at least two consecutive samples or active treatment with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents.
RESULTS
1) The DM prevalence was 16.8%(70 cases) in total patients and 25.0% (56 cases) in cirrhotic patients. 2) According to sex, there was no statistically significant difference in DM prevalence(16.8% in men and 18.1% in women P=0.78). 3) The DM prevalence was increased with increasing of age(0% in below 30 years, 4.9% in 31-40, 19.6% in 41-50, 22.9% in 51-60, 21.3% in 61-70 and 44.4% in over 71 years, p<0.01). 3) According to severity of liver disease, the DM prevalence was higher in uncompensated cirrhosis than in compensated cirrhosis(2.3% in chronic viral carrier, 8.8% in chronic hepatitis, 17.9% in cirrhosis Child class A, 33.9% in class B, 29.5% in class C). 4) According to cause of liver disease, the DM prevalence was higher in C-viral hepatitis and alcoholics than in B-viral hepatitis(12.1% in B-viral hepatitis, 35.1% in C-viral hepatitis, 40.0% in alcoholics).
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of diabetes in the patients with chronic liver disease is much higher than in general population. And the DM prevalence is increased in advanced cirrhosis and C-viral or alcoholic hepatitis. The early diagnosis and treatment of DM in chronic liver disease patients are important.

Keyword

Prevalence; Diabetes mellitus; Chronic liver disease

MeSH Terms

Alcoholics
Blood Glucose
Child
Diabetes Mellitus*
Early Diagnosis
Fasting
Female
Fibrosis
Glucose
Glucose Intolerance
Hepatitis
Hepatitis, Alcoholic
Hepatitis, Chronic
Humans
Hyperglycemia
Hypoglycemic Agents
Insulin
Insulin Resistance
Korea
Liver Diseases*
Liver Diseases, Alcoholic
Liver*
Male
Medical Records
Metabolism
Prevalence*
Ultrasonography
Blood Glucose
Glucose
Hypoglycemic Agents
Insulin