Diabetes as a risk factor for infections in cirrhotic patients

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Infections are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in cirrhotic patients. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a predisposing factor for infections, and coexistence of DM and cirrhosis has increased in the last years, particularly in cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C virus. The aim of this study was to determine if there is an association between DM and infections in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: Retrospective, cross sectional, analytical, multicenter study. Patients included were distributed in two groups: those with DM (glucose > 126 mg/dl) and those without DM. Frequency and type of infections were compared between both groups. Data was analyzed using Student's t test, Chi square, and Odds ratio analysis. RESULTS: 178 patients were included, 60.1% were male. Range age was between 25 and 88 years, and 25.8% reported DM. There were no demographic differences between groups. The frequency of infections in the DM group was 84.8% as compared to 48.5% in the controls (p=0.001; OR = 5.9). The most common infections were Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Pneumonia, and Cellulites. We found a higher frequency of Pneumonia in the DM group, not so for UTI and Cellulites population. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of DM is a risk factor for infections in patients with hepatic cirrhosis, particularly increased is the risk for acquiring Pneumonia. KEYWORDS: Cirrhosis, Diabetes mellitus, Infections.