Hepatitis C viremia increases the association with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a hepatitis B and C endemic area: an epidemiological link with virological implication.
OBJECTIVE
There is growing evidence with regard to the association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the mutual link and related virological implication have not been fully clarified. The impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on the epidemiological link remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the link between T2DM and viral hepatitis infections, especially HCV infection. It also aimed to analyze the associated virological characteristics and implication.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of a computer-sampling survey among 10,975 participants (aged 40-65 yr) was performed in an area endemic for HBV and HCV infections in Taiwan. Outcome measures included prevalence of T2DM among different groups of viral hepatitis infection, and comparison of related biochemical and virological profiles.


RESULTS
Of 10,975 participants studied, 9,932 eligible participants were analyzed. The prevalence of T2DM, seropositivity for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and HCV antibodies (anti-HCV), and HCV viremia was 12.5%, 13.1%, 6.5%, and 4.8%, respectively. Prevalence of HCV viremia showed significant difference between T2DM and non-T2DM subjects (6.9% vs 4.5%, P<0.001), whereas anti-HCV seropositivity showed borderline significance (7.8% vs 6.3%, P=0.047). There was no HCV genotype-specific difference between HCV genotype 1 and 2 in the association with T2DM. On the other side, the prevalence of HBsAg (+) did not differ between T2DM and non-T2DM subjects (12.5% vs 13.9%, P=0.19). The prevalence of T2DM among HCV viremic subjects (18.0%, 86/478) was significantly higher than HBsAg (+) subjects (11.4%, 155/1,363, P=0.001) and those negative for both viral hepatitis markers (12.5%, 997/8,004, P=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that HCV viremia was the leading significant factor associated with T2DM, followed by male gender, hypertension, body mass index, and age.


CONCLUSIONS
HBV infection did not increase the association with T2DM. A significant mutual link between T2DM and HCV viremia existed in this HBV/HCV endemic area. There was no HCV genotype-specific difference between HCV genotype 1 and 2 in the association with T2DM.
Huang
Jee-Fu
JF
Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, and Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Dai
Chia-Yen
CY
Hwang
Shang-Jyh
SJ
Ho
Chi-Kung
CK
Hsiao
Pi-Jung
PJ
Hsieh
Ming-Yen
MY
Lee
Li-Po
LP
Lin
Zu-Yau
ZY
Chen
Shinn-Chern
SC
Hsieh
Ming-Yuh
MY
Wang
Liang-Yen
LY
Shin
Shyi-Jang
SJ
Chang
Wen-Yu
WY
Chuang
Wan-Long
WL
Yu
Ming-Lung
ML
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D014766:Viremia / Q000150:complications*
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies