Diabetes Mellitus and Poor Glycemic Control Negatively Impact Clinical Outcomes and Survival in Patients with Compensated Cirrhosis

Background and objectives: Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases morbidity and mortality in advanced cirrhosis. Information on the prognostic impact of DM in compensated cirrhosis is scarce. We aimed to explore the effect of DM and glycemic control on the natural history of compensated cirrhotic patients.Methods: This retrospective longitudinal cohort study included Child A/B cirrhosis without or free from decompensation or hospitalization > 1 year. Data on survival, unplanned hospitalization, hepatic decompensation (ascites, portal hypertension-related bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, acute kidney injury), new infection, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were collected.Results: 457 patients were included (71.3% Child A, model for end-stage liver disease [MELD] 9.9 +/- 3.1, alcohol/hepatitis B virus/hepatitis C virus 39.2%/21.7%/15.1%, 34.4% had DM). The cumulative overall survival was lower in DM group (75.7% vs. 86.5% at 10 yrs, P = 0.01). By multivariable Cox regression models adjusted with Child-Pugh and MELD score, DM was associated with higher mortality (hazards ratio [HR] 2.4, P = 0.014, and HR 2.03, P = 0.04, respectively). The cumulative incidences of unplanned hospitalizations (46.3% vs. 24.8% at 5 yrs, P < 0.001), hepatic decompensation (45% vs. 20.8% at 5 yrs, P < 0.001), new infection (47.2% vs. 20.2% at 5 yrs, P < 0.001), and HCC (29.3% vs. 16.8% at 10 yrs, P = 0.03) were higher in DM group. In patients with DM, 27.4% patients had poor glycemic control (HbA1c >= 7.0% for >= 80% of the study period). The cumulative overall survival was lower in poor glycemic control group (52.3% vs. 85.2% at 10 yrs, P = 0.02). By univariable Cox regression model, poor glycemic control was associated with higher mortality (HR 2.67, P = 0.025). Conclusions: In compen-sated cirrhosis, when coexisting with DM, the complications and mortality rates magnify. Poor glycemic control reduces survival in cirrhotic patients with DM. Proper diabetic screening and management should be emphasized in the care of these patients.