Objective  To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with diabetes and liver abscess.

  Methods  A total of 316 patients with liver abscess were selected as study objects, and were divided into diabetes mellitus group(n=144)and non-diabetes group(n=172) according to whether the patients suffered from type 2 diabetes or not. The general conditions, basic diseases, clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory examination results, imaging findings and etiological examination results of the two groups were analyzed.

  Results  The rates of patients with abdominal pain and abdominal distension, abdominal tenderness and rebound pain, and percussion pain in the liver area in the diabetic group were significantly lower than those in the non-diabetic group(P < 0.05). The levels of albumin, blood platelet and γ-glutamine transpeptidase in the diabetic group were significantly lower than those in the non-diabetic group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The proportion of abscess diameter over 10 cm and incidence of sepsis in the diabetic group were significantly higher than those in the non-diabetic group (P < 0.05). The positive rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae in blood and pus culture in the diabetic group were significantly higher than those in the non-diabetic group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Follow-up after treatment showed that the proportion of residual abscess with diameter of 5 to 10 cm in the diabetic group was significantly higher than that in the non-diabetic group (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  Because of atypical clinical manifestations of diabetes mellitus complicated with liver abscess, misdiagnose and missed diagnosis may easily occur. Once diagnosed, sensitive antibiotics, blood sugar control and puncture treatment should be implemented so as to achieve better curative effect.