Type 2 diabetes and hepatitis C
Over
40s with Hep C 3 times more likely to have diabetes (REF: Ann
Intern Med)
US researchers, writing in the Annals of Internal Medicine,
report the results of a study which found that people over 40,
who had antibodies to hepatitis C, were over three times as
likely as those without antibodies to have type 2 diabetes.
Subjects were 9,841 participants in the Third National Health
and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Blood samples
were taken for the presence of antibodies to hepatitis C and
for fasting plasma glucose levels.
The researchers found:
- 1,242 (8.37%) people had type 2 diabetes mellitus,
while 19 people had type 1 diabetes
- 230 (2.14%) people had antibodies to the hepatitis C
virus
- The prevalence of type 2 diabetes was higher in those
who tested positive for hepatitis C than in those who
tested negative in all age groups except the under 40s
- After adjusting for risk factors, those aged over 40,
who had tested positive for hepatitis C antibodies, were
more than three times as likely as those who tested
negative to have type 2 diabetes (odds ratio 3.77).
Discussing
their findings, the researchers recommended further research
into the relationship between diabetes and hepatitis C, given
that there appeared to be no clear cut biological basis for
the link.
REF: Mehta S H et al. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus
among persons with hepatitis C virus infection in the United
States. Ann Intern Med 2000; 133: 592-599
Correspondence to: Dr David Thomas, Johns Hopkins Medical
Institutions, 1147 Ross Building, 720 Rutland Avenue,
Baltimore, MD 21205
In an accompanying editorial, Dr Graeme Alexander, of the
University of Cambridge, points out that, although there is
obviously a link between hepatitis C infection and type 2
diabetes, the nature of the link remains unclear. He comments
'longitudinal studies on this subject are eagerly awaited.'
REF: Alexander G J M. An association between hepatitis C virus
and Type 2 diabetes: what is the connection? Ann Intern Med
2000; 133: 650-652
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