DIABETES-MELLITUS IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER-CIRRHOSIS

In spite of the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) few studies have focused on the clinical imp lications of this association. We investigated the clinical and pancre atic-endocrine features of 34 patients who developed DM after LC (Grou p I). Results were compared with 34 carefully matched patients with on ly Type II DM (Group II). A standard meal test was performed in 26 pat ients with normal renal function from each group to assess beta-cell f unction. Group I patients, less frequently had retinopathy (14.7% vs. 45.5%, P < 0.05) and a family history of diabetes (23.5% vs. 58.8%, P < 0.01). Group I patients also showed signs of enhanced insulin resist ance, reflected by higher insulin dose requirements in insulin-treated patients (0.87 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.62 +/- 0.05 IU/kg/day, P < 0.01) and in creased basal C-peptide values(0.88 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.68 +/- 0.07 pmol/1, P < 0.05, respectively) than those in Group II. These results suggest that several clinical features, probably related to the hepatopathy, define DM occurring in patients with LC.