Metformin and reduced risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in diabetic patients with chronic liver disease

Background: Previous studies have reported the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aims: To explore the relationships among DM2, antidiabetic therapy and HCC risk. Methods: We recruited 610 HCC patients compared with 618 matched cirrhotic patients and 1696 Controls. The odds ratio (OR) for HCC in diabetic subjects treated with insulin, sulphonylureas and metformin was calculated. Results: DM2 prevalence was 31.2% in HCC, 23.3% in cirrhotic patients and 12.7% in Controls (P