Presence of diabetes further heightens hepatocellular carcinoma risk in patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis: A meta-analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveImpact of diabetes mellitus on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remained controversial in cirrhotic patients. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association of diabetes and the occurrence of HCC in patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis. MethodsTwo authors comprehensively searched PubMed and Embase databases until June 22, 2023, to identify studies that evaluated the association of diabetes with the occurrence of HCC in patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis. ResultsSixteen retrospective/prospective cohort studies reporting on 15 articles (5357 cirrhotic patients) were included. The prevalence of diabetes in hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis patients ranged from 4 to 46%. Diabetes was associated with higher risk of HCC (risk ratio [RR] 1.74; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.24–2.45) in patients with hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis. However, no significant relationship of diabetes with the occurrence of HCC was present in studies with less than 48-month follow-up among patients with hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis (RR 1.28; 95% CI 0.68–2.43). Moreover, diabetes also conferred an increased risk of HCC (RR 2.67; 95% CI 2.03–3.51) in patients with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis. ConclusionPresence of diabetes significantly predicted the occurrence of HCC in patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis.