Liver Disease Deaths Higher among Diabetes Patients

People with diabetes are 70% more likely to die from liver disease than those without the condition, 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. This can lead to scarring of the liver — also known as cirrhosis — and cancer. In the study, researchers analyzed the records of people aged 35 to 84 over a six-year period to 2007. They compared 1,267 diabetes sufferers to 10,100 people without the condition, who all died of liver disease. The results showed about one in four (24%) people with diabetes died of liver cancer, compared to one in ten (9%) of non-diabetics. However, more people without diabetes died from alcoholic liver disease (63%) compared to those with diabetes (38%). Dr. Sarah Wild, of Edinburgh University, UK, 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. “A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk and prevention is particularly important because the options for treatment are limited.” Presented at the Diabetes UK Annual Professional Conference, March 2011