Research Finds Hepatitis B Immunity May Reduce Diabetes Risk

Recent research presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) annual meeting in Vienna and published in the journal Diagnostics indicates that individuals with immunity to hepatitis B virus (HBV), achieved through vaccination, may have a lower likelihood of developing diabetes. The study, led by Dr. Nhu-Quynh Phan from Taipei Medical University and supervised by Professor Chiehfeng Chen, analyzed electronic medical records from the global TriNetX database, encompassing data from over 900,000 adults across various regions.

The investigation focused on adults who had serology results indicating hepatitis B immunity, characterized by the presence of hepatitis B surface antibodies (HBsAb) of 10 mIU/mL or higher. Participants with prior HBV infection were excluded to isolate the effect of vaccine-induced immunity. The study compared 573,785 immunized individuals to 318,684 non-immunized individuals, examining the relationship between HBsAb levels and the incidence of diabetes.

Results showed that those with hepatitis B immunity had a 15% reduced risk of developing diabetes compared to non-immunized individuals. A dose-response relationship was also observed: higher antibody titers correlated with greater protection. Specifically, levels of 100 mIU/mL and above, and 1,000 mIU/mL and above, were associated with 19% and 43% reductions in diabetes risk, respectively.

The protective association was more pronounced in younger adults, with those aged 18-44 experiencing a 20% risk reduction, while older age groups saw an 11-12% reduction. Geographical differences were noted, with the United States showing the least benefit despite its advanced healthcare system, suggesting regional factors may influence the effect.

The researchers discuss potential mechanisms, including the role of the liver in glucose metabolism and the possibility that HBV infection or vaccination might positively influence metabolic pathways. They also consider that health-conscious behaviors among vaccinated individuals could contribute to the observed effects.

Concluding, the study highlights the potential dual benefit of the hepatitis B vaccine—not only preventing infectious disease but also serving as a preventive measure for diabetes. The authors advocate for further research to confirm these findings and explore underlying mechanisms, emphasizing the vaccine's accessibility and cost-effectiveness, especially in regions heavily burdened by both hepatitis B and diabetes.

This study underscores the promising role of HBV vaccination in broader health prevention strategies and may influence future public health policies aimed at reducing the global burden of diabetes.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-link-hepatitis-immunity-diabetes.html