Clinical predictor for development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to clarify the factors for predicting the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). HCC developed in 7 (7.4%) of the 95 PBC patients who were negative for hepatitis B and C virus markers The degree of liver fibrosis was only a significant factor for the development of HCC in multivariate analysis. However, the presence of diabetes mellitus was significantly more frequent in patients with HCC than those without. More extensive study may be required to identify if body mass index or presence of DM may be associated with the development of HCC in PBC patients, since such patients are increasing currently. © 2008 The Japan Society of Hepatology.