Liver disease kills more diabetics

People with diabetes are 70 per cent more likely to die from liver disease than those without the illness, according to new research.

It is already known that diabetes can increase the risk of some types of liver disease, with poor blood sugar control boosting the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

This can lead to scarring of the liver (also known as cirrhosis) and cancer.

In the new study, British researchers analysed health records of people aged 35 to 84 over a six-year period to 2007.

They compared 1,267 people with diabetes and 10,100 without the condition, who all died of liver disease.

The results showed that around one in four (24 per cent) people with diabetes died of liver cancer compared to nine per cent of those without diabetes.

However, far more people without diabetes died from alcoholic liver disease (63 per cent) compared to those with diabetes (38 per cent).

Diabetic patients are advised not to drink too much alcohol due to its potential impact on blood sugar levels and the extra calories causing weight gain.

Overall, the study found people with diabetes were 70 per cent more likely to die from liver disease.

Lead researcher Sarah Wild, from the University of Edinburgh, said: “Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has become much more common recently, particularly among people with diabetes.

“The major risk factor for it is being overweight, which is also an important risk factor for Type 2 diabetes.

“Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease increases the risk of cirrhosis which in turn increases the risk of liver cancer.

“A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk and prevention is particularly important because the options for treatment are limited.”

The research is being presented at the Diabetes UK Annual Professional Conference.

Diabetes UK director of research, Iain Frame, said: “The best defence against liver disease if you have diabetes is to maintain a healthy weight and be as physically active as possible.

“Your doctor may also recommend regular testing of your liver function if you take medications that could potentially affect your liver.

“Previous studies have found a link between diabetes and liver disease and this research adds to that knowledge.

“We now need further investigation into how diabetes affects the liver to find new methods of preventing this complication.”

Dr Wild said the results also suggested that diabetics were more likely to die from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

“A lot of fat becomes stored in the liver and some people will get cirrhosis,” she said.