High Albumin Level Is Associated With Regression of Glucose Metabolism Disorders Upon Resolution of Acute Liver Inflammation in Hepatitis B-Related Cirrhosis

Background and AimTo investigate the short-term dynamic changes and the factors associated with regression of glucose metabolism disorders in patients with hepatitis flare of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.MethodsIn this study, 118 patients with severe hepatitis flare of chronic HBV infection were prospectively studied. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed on admission and during follow-up to evaluate dynamic changes in glucose metabolism disorders. The factors associated with regression of glucose metabolism disorders were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.ResultsThe prevalence of diabetes was significantly higher in 70 (47.1%) patients with liver cirrhosis than that in 48 (16.8%) patients without liver cirrhosis. The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance in patients with liver cirrhosis (35.7%) was significantly lower than that in patients without liver cirrhosis (47.8%). After a follow-up of 20.0 ± 18.7 days, 28 of 31 (90.3%) patients without liver cirrhosis experienced regression of glucose metabolism disorders. Additionally, 30 (54.5%) patients with liver cirrhosis experienced regression of glucose metabolism disorders after 42.0 ± 36.2 days. In patients with liver cirrhosis, those with regression of glucose metabolism disorders had significantly higher levels of homeostasis model assessment-β-cell function, albumin (ALB), and a significantly lower level of fibrosis-4 score. ALB was identified as an independent factor associated with the regression of glucose metabolism disorders in patients with liver cirrhosis.ConclusionSevere acute liver inflammation aggravates glucose metabolism disorders in patients with hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis and high ALB level is associated with regression of glucose metabolism disorders upon resolution of acute liver inflammation.