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[Diabetes as a risk factor for infections in cirrhotic patients]

Javier Díaz Ferrer1, Rossana Román, Viviana Ulloa

  • 1Unidad de Hígado, Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati, EsSALUD, Lima-Perú.

Revista De Gastroenterologia Del Peru : Organo Oficial De La Sociedad De Gastroenterologia Del Peru
|May 7, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) significantly increases infection risk in cirrhosis patients. Those with DM had a 5.9 times higher infection rate, especially pneumonia, highlighting DM as a critical risk factor.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Infections are a major cause of illness and death in cirrhosis patients.
  • Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a known risk factor for infections.
  • The co-occurrence of DM and cirrhosis is increasing, particularly in hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and the incidence of infections in patients diagnosed with hepatic cirrhosis.
  • To determine if DM is a significant risk factor for developing infections in this patient population.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective, cross-sectional, analytical, multicenter study was conducted.
  • Patients were categorized into two groups: those with DM (glucose > 126 mg/dl) and those without DM.
  • Infection frequencies and types were compared using statistical analyses including Student's t test, Chi square, and Odds ratio.

Main Results:

  • Out of 178 patients, 25.8% had DM. No demographic differences were observed between groups.
  • The DM group exhibited a significantly higher infection frequency (84.8%) compared to the control group (48.5%) (p=0.001; OR = 5.9).
  • Pneumonia was more frequent in the DM group, while Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and Cellulitis frequencies did not differ significantly.

Conclusions:

  • Diabetes Mellitus is confirmed as a significant risk factor for infections in patients with hepatic cirrhosis.
  • The risk of developing pneumonia is particularly elevated in cirrhotic patients with DM.

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