Research conducted by Edinburgh University has identified that people with diabetes are up to 70% more likely to die from liver disease compared to those without the condition.
Diabetes is already known to increase the risk of some types of liver disease, because of poor blood sugar control. This can lead to scarring of the liver which is also known as cirrhosis and cancer.
The study analysed the records of people aged 35 to 84 from 2001 to 2007 and compared 1,267 diabetes sufferers and 10,000 people without the condition, all of whom died from some form of liver disease.
The results found that 24% of people with diabetes died of liver cancer, compared to 9% in non-diabetics. The majority of people without diabetes died from alcoholic liver disease at 63%, compared to 38% of the diabetic people. The study confirms the link between diabetes and liver disease.
Diabetics are advised not to drink much alcohol as this can impact on the blood sugar levels as well as increasing the risk of weight gain.
The findings from the study are currently being presented at the Diabetes UK Annual Professional Conference.
