Significantly Decreased Islet β Cell Function and Increased Fasting Plasma Glucose in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B: a Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The contributing factors of abnormal glucose metabolism and the characteristics of the homeostasis model assessment of β cell function (HOMA-β) value in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients are unclear and worth studying.Method: This cross-sectional study recruited 110 CHB patients (CHB group) and 110 patients without hepatitis B virus (non-HBV group); the groups were matched according to sex, age, and body mass index. The contributing factors of abnormal glucose metabolism and the characteristics and differences in glucose metabolism parameters between the two groups were analyzed.Results: The abnormal glucose metabolism rate was higher in CHB patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and patients with hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) (-) status. In addition, under the same glucose metabolism conditions, the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels of the CHB group was higher than that of the non-HBV group, especially in those with LC that had higher FPG levels (all p=0.000), while the HOMA-β values was significantly lower in the CHB group than in the non-HBV group, especially under normal glucose tolerance conditions (all p=0.000). Further analyses revealed that the main contributing factors of abnormal glucose metabolism were HBeAg (-) status and hepatitis B envelope antibody levels, but HBV serological and virological indicators had no direct effect on the HOMA-β value.Conclusion: These findings provide a reference that will allow clinicians to monitor abnormal glucose metabolism in CHB patients, especially those with LC or HBeAg (-) status, focus on the protection of islet β-cell function, and avoid the application of insulin secretagogues in CHB patients with abnormal glucose metabolism.

Significantly Decreased Islet β Cell Function is Closely Associated with Hyperglycemia in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

“…A cross-sectional study with a sample size of 220 patients was conducted in the Public and Health Clinic Centre of Chengdu from January 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020 [ 19 , 20 ]. Among these subjects, 110 patients with CHB were entered into the CHB group.…”