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High Blood Sugar Appears to Spur on Progression of Cirrhosis in People with Hepatitis C

High Blood Sugar Appears to Spur on Progression of Cirrhosis in People with Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects the liver and other tissues of the body. But researchers are just beginning to understand how it may also be linked to diabetes.

Liver fibrosis is considered the first stage of liver damage, when scarring begins to occur. If the damage continues unchecked, it eventually becomes more severe, at which point it is referred to as liver cirrhosis.

In a recent study, published in the Journal of Immunoassay and Immunochemistry, researchers discovered that there was a correlation between high blood sugar in their participants and the pace at which fibrosis and cirrhosis progressed.

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) has been known to cause liver fibrosis and advanced hepatic disease over time. However, clinical risk factors associated with rapid CHC and hepatic fibrosis progression had not been assessed. The new study aimed to change that, however, by evaluating the association between high blood sugar levels and the progression of CHC (and other biomarkers) in patients with chronic HCV-genotype 4.

160 patients with chronic hepatitis C were studied. 80 had liver fibrosis, and the other 80 had cirrhosis. 40 healthy volunteers who did not test positive for hepatitis C were also studied.

Upon investigating their data, the researchers learned that cirrhotic patients had high fasting, postprandial, and random glucose levels compared to those patients with liver fibrosis. In fact, at each stage in the advancement of liver disease, the researchers noted an increase in these glucose levels. They found that blood glucose levels are directly correlated with liver-disease-related biological parameters.

"Our results highlighted the fibrogenic impact of elevated glucose levels on CHC patients," the team wrote.

It's unclear at this time whether blood sugar becomes more difficult to control as liver disease progresses or whether high blood sugar is a cause of the progression of the disease, although the latter seems more likely.

In any case, it's a good idea for people with liver disease or a family history of the condition to work extra hard to make sure their glucose levels stay in check, as it could improve their long-term health.
Elizabeth Morey

Elizabeth Morey graduated summa cum laude from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI, where she dual majored in English Literature and Spanish with minors in Writing and Business Administration. She was a member of the school's Insignis Honors Society and the president of the literary honors society Lambda Iota Tau.

Some of Elizabeth's special interests include Spanish and English linguistics, modern grammar and spelling, and journalism. She has been writing professionally for more than five years and specializes in health topics such as breast cancer, autism, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Apart from her work at GreaterGood, she has also written art and culture articles for the Grand Rapids Magazine.

Elizabeth has lived in the beautiful Great Lakes State for most of her life but also loves to travel. She currently resides a short drive away from the dazzling shores of Lake Michigan with her beloved husband.

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