J Prev Med Public Health.  2007 Jan;40(1):23-28. 10.3961/jpmph.2007.40.1.23.

Fasting Serum Glucose and Subsequent Liver Cancer Risk in a Korean Prospective Cohort

• Gwack J
• Hwang SS
• Ko KP
• Jun JK
• Park SK
• Chang SH
• Shin HR
• Yoo KY

• KMID: 792454
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2007.40.1.23

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Chronic infections with hepatitis B or C and alcoholic cirrhosis are three well-known major risk factors for liver cancer. Diabetes has also been suggested as a potential risk factor. However, the findings of previous studies have been controversial in terms of the causal association. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between serum glucose levels and liver cancer development in a Korean cohort. METHODS: Thirty-six liver cancer cases were identified in the Korean Multi-Center Cancer Cohort (KMCC). Baseline information on lifestyle characteristics was obtained via questionnaire. Serum glucose levels were measured at the study's enrollment. Relative risks (RRs) were estimated using a Cox proportional hazard regression model. The adjusting variables included age, gender, smoking history, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositivity. RESULTS: The RRs of serum glucose for liver caner were 1.20 (95% CI=0.48-2.99) for the category of 100 to 125 mg/dL of serum glucose and 2.77 (95% CI=1.24-6.18) for the >126 mg/dL serum glucose category (both compared to the <100 mg/dL category). In a subgroup analysis, the RR of serum glucose among those who were both HBsAg seronegative and non-drinkers was 4.46 (95% CI=1.09-18.28) for those with glucose levels >100 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that a high level of serum glucose can increase liver cancer risk independently of hepatitis infection and drinking history in Koreans. This study implies that glucose intolerance may be an independent risk factor for liver cancer.

Keyword

Liver neoplasms; Diabetes mellitus; Blood glucose; Cohort studies; Korea

MeSH Terms

Risk Factors
Proportional Hazards Models
Middle Aged
Male
Liver Neoplasms/blood/*epidemiology/etiology
Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic/*complications
Korea/epidemiology
Humans
Hepatitis B virus/immunology
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood
Hepatitis B/*complications
Female
Fasting
Cohort Studies
Blood Glucose/*analysis
Alcohol Drinking/*adverse effects/epidemiology
Aged
Adult