Type 2 diabetes increases risk of fatty liver disease, finds study

During a median follow-up of 7.7 years, 1.3% of patients with T2DM and 0.6% of controls developed the severe liver disease (hazard ratio, 2.3; P<0.001). HCC rates were also significantly higher in individuals with T2DM versus controls (0.26% vs. 0.08%), as were liver-related death rates (0.49% vs. 0.22%). Among those with T2DM, independent predictors of severe liver disease included male sex, older age, higher body-mass index, hypertension, and renal abnormalities (lower glomerular filtration rate and microalbuminuria), whereas statin use was a protective factor.

The risk for severe liver disease was increased in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to controls (hazard ratio, 2.28; 95% CI, 2.21–2.36). Risk factors associated with severe liver disease in persons with type 2 diabetes were higher age, male sex, hypertension, higher body mass index, lower glomerular filtration rate, microalbuminuria, and smoking. Statins were associated with a decreased risk of severe liver disease.

The researchers concluded that Persons with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of severe liver disease. Knowledge of risk factors can be helpful in identifying persons with type 2 diabetes who have a high risk of severe liver disease. Future studies should evaluate how best to utilize these risk factors to develop more-targeted approaches to screening for NAFLD in clinical practice.

Björkström K et al. Risk factors for severe liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019 Apr 19; [e-pub]. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2019.04.038)