A Comparative Study on the Frequency and Effective Factors of Diabetes Mellitus in Cirrhotic and Non-Cirrhotic Patients

Liver is the main organ in the metabolic process of carbohydrates. Alterations in carbohydrates metabolism and diabetes mellitus (DM) are common in cirrhotic patients. For instance, resistance to insulin is an important prognostic factor in liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of diabetes and its effective factors in cirrhosis patients, as compared to the normal group. This case-control study was conducted on 100 patients with cirrhosis who were admitted to Aria, Bahman 2nd and Shahrivar 17th Hospitals. The subjects were selected through simple random sampling. Based on the criteria adopted for this study, the patients were qualified to enroll in the study. Checklists were completed for the patients. The presence of DM on the part of the subjects was diagnosed either by having a history of DM and the use of anti-diabetic drugs such as glybenclamid and insulin, or FBS > 126 mg/dL at two times. Data analysis was performed using Pearson Chi-square and Fisher exact test. Out of all patients 37 were females and 63 were males (Mean age 63.57 years). Prevalence of DM and IFG in these patients were much more than normal population (P<0.05). There were significant statistically relationship between sex (F>M) and age>60 years in diabetes and cirrhosis patients in compare with normal group (P<0.05). Family history of DM and severity of cirrhosis were also associated with DM (P<0.05). Among complications of cirrhosis, prevalence of DM was more in patients with encephalopathy and ascites.In this study, our findings indicate that cirrhotic patients are at the increased risk of DM occurrence. Female sex, age>60 years, family history of DM, severity of liver disease and presence of encephalopathy and ascites were associated with DM occurrence in these patients. The Regular screening for DM can be useful for early diagnosis and treatment of these patients.