The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in chronic liver disease / 대한내과학회지

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.