ABSTRACT
Objective:To compare the clinical characteristics and prognosis of bacterial liver abscess in patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM), to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:Patients with bacterial liver abscesses hospitalized in Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2016 to August 2021 were enrolled, and their clinical data were collected. The patients were divided into diabetic and non-diabetic groups for comparison according to whether they had comorbid DM. Statistical analysis was performed by chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:A total of 131 patients with bacterial liver abscesses were included, including 47 cases in the diabetic group and 84 cases in the non-diabetic group. The percentages of platelet count <100×10 9/L, C-reactive protein>10 mg/L, and total bilirubin>17.5 μmol/L were lower in the diabetic group than that in the non-diabetic group, and the differences were all statistically significant ( χ2=3.90, 6.44 and 5.56, respectively, all P<0.05). The percentage of multiple abscesses in the diabetic group was 10.6%(5/47), which was lower than 29.8%(25/84) in the non-diabetic group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=6.24, P=0.012). The positive rate of pus culture for Klebsiella pneumoniae was 64.9%(24/37) in the diabetic group, which was higher than 41.5%(27/65) in the non-diabetic group, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=5.13, P=0.023). The incidences of pleural effusion and abscesses at other sites in the diabetic group were 29.8%(14/47) and 10.6%(5/47), respectively, which were both higher than 14.3%(12/84) and 1.2%(1/84) in the non-diabetic group, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=4.55, Fisher′s exact test, both P<0.05). The proportion of hospital stays>21 d was 34.0%(16/47) in the diabetic group, which was higher than 16.7%(14/84) in the non-diabetic group, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=5.15, P=0.023). DM (odds ratio ( OR)=2.654, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.020 to 6.907, P=0.046) and abscess maximum diameter>10 cm ( OR=11.045, 95% CI 4.493 to 27.154, P<0.001) were significant risk factors for hospital stay>21 d. Conclusions:Bacterial liver abscesses combined with DM are more common with single abscess, a higher rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae infection, and more likely to develop pleural effusions and abscesses at other sites. Liver abscesses>10 cm in maximum diameter and comorbid DM would prolong hospital stay.