title: Diabetic hepatosclerosis: another diabetes microvascular complication?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Liver disease in diabetes is common and is frequently the result of hepatic steatosis. Diabetic hepatosclerosis is a relatively recent description of sinusoidal fibrosis, without steatosis, observed in liver biopsies of people with diabetes presenting with cholestasis. Its association with other microvascular complications suggests it is a form of hepatic diabetic microangiopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a 50-year-old woman with longstanding Type 1 diabetes, complicated by nephropathy resulting in cadaveric renal transplant, retinopathy, gastroparesis and neuropathy with slowly healing ulceration to her right foot. She was noted to have deranged liver function tests: alanine aminotransferase, 162 IU/l; bilirubin, 44 IU/l; alkaline phosphatase, 5279 IU/l (isoenzymes; bone 1029 IU/l, liver 4250 IU/l); γ-glutamyl transferase, 662 IU/l. A non-invasive liver screen did not reveal the cause of the cholestasis. A liver biopsy demonstrated sinusoidal fibrosis without evidence of steatosis and thus a diagnosis of diabetic hepatosclerosis was made. Comparison with a biopsy performed 11 years previously at a different trust due to elevated alkaline phosphatase levels revealed slow progression of the sinusoidal fibrosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case describes the longest reported clinical course of diabetic hepatosclerosis, spanning 11 years, in which time the patient did not develop evidence of cirrhosis or portal hypertension. It is difficult to estimate the clinical relevance of this condition because little is known regarding its clinical course and effect on morbidity and mortality. Identified patients should undergo low-intensity, long-term follow-up to improve understanding of its clinical sequelae and relevance.
authors: Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, St James' University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
authors: R J
authors: RJ
authors: King
authors: Department of Hepatology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, St James' University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Harrison
authors: Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, St James' University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
authors: S G
authors: SG
authors: Gilbey
authors: Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, St James' University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Santhakumar
authors: Department of Pathology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, St James' University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Wyatt
authors: Department of Hepatology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, St James' University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Jones
authors: Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, St James' University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Bodansky
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D002111:Calcaneus; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D048550:Hepatic Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D055806:Microvessels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D012598:Sclerosis; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents