Introduction & Objective: Primary liver cancer (PLC) is a major global health concern, with diabetes mellitus (DM) identified as a potential risk factor. Our study aimed to evaluate the temporal association between the onset of DM and the risk of developing PLC.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, encompassing a sample of 89,243 Chinese adults free from any previous diagnoses of cancer or DM. Incidence rates of new-onset DM and PLC were recorded over a median follow-up of 14.04 years. Data from biennial health assessments between 2006 and 2020 were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for demographics and lifestyle factors.
Results: Of the participants, 13,225 developed incident DM. Those with new-onset DM exhibited a higher risk of PLC within the first five years post-diagnosis (HR 3.09), which declined over time (Figure). HBsAg-positive individuals with recent-onset DM faced an even higher risk (HR 4.30). Subgroup analysis identified males, non-obese, current drinkers, and smokers as high-risk groups for PLC among those with new-onset DM.
Conclusion: The onset of DM is associated with a heightened risk of PLC, especially within the first five years following diagnosis, particularly for those with concurrent HBsAg positivity. Our findings highlight the need for vigilant PLC screening in newly diagnosed diabetic patients.
X. Qi: None. Y. Li: None. S. Zhang: None. C. Liu: None. S. Wang: None. J. Gao: None.
