Diabetes and liver disease

Many patients who suffer from diabetes are also at an increased risk of developing further complications over time. These can include foot and lower leg problems that may lead to amputation, eyes conditions such as Diabetic retinopathy, and serious degenerative conditions such as strokes and heart disease.
Increasing evidence is now linking diabetes with cancer of the liver and liver disease. A recent study conducted by the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at St. Louis University School of Medicine, actually concluded that diabetes mellitus may even cause liver disease.
Two studies carried out by the university investigated the links between diabetes and liver disease. Patients suffering from type 2 were proven to face twice the risk of developing liver disease. Results showed that the same patients could be up to three times more likely to develop liver cancer.
The research came from a massive study field of 170,000 type 2 diabetic patients, and 650,000 non-diabetic patients. The results of the study were an important warning for diabetes patients, experts warned. Just like diabetes itself, liver disease may often remain unnoticed by the patient. They recommended regular testing of liver enzymes.