title: [Fasting serum glucose and subsequent liver cancer risk in a Korean prospective cohort].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic infections with hepatitis B or C and alcoholic cirrhosis are three well-known major risk factors for liver cancer. Diabetes has also been suggested as a potential risk factor. However, the findings of previous studies have been controversial in terms of the causal association. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between serum glucose levels and liver cancer development in a Korean cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six liver cancer cases were identified in the Korean Multi-Center Cancer Cohort (KMCC). Baseline information on lifestyle characteristics was obtained via questionnaire. Serum glucose levels were measured at the study's enrollment. Relative risks (RRs) were estimated using a Cox proportional hazard regression model. The adjusting variables included age, gender, smoking history, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositivity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The RRs of serum glucose for liver cancer were 1.20 (95% CI = 0.48-2.99) for the category of 100 to 125 mg/dL of serum glucose and 2.77 (95% CI = 1.24-6.18) for the > 126 mg/dL serum glucose category (both compared to the < 100 mg/dL category). In a subgroup analysis, the RR of serum glucose among those who were both HBsAg seronegative and non-drinkers was 4.46 (95% CL = 1.09-18.28) for those with glucose levels > 100 mg/dL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that a high level of serum glucose can increase liver cancer risk independently of hepatitis infection and drinking history in Koreans. This study implies that glucose intolerance may be an independent risk factor for liver cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gwack
authors.forename: Seung-Sik
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Kwang-Pil
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Jae Kwan
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.forename: Sue Kyung
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Soung-Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Hai-Rim
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Keun-Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Yoo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens