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

OBJECTIVE: Impact 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. METHODS: Two 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. RESULTS: Sixteen 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. CONCLUSION: Presence of diabetes significantly predicted the occurrence of HCC in patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis.