People with type 2 diabetes face an increased risk of developing serious liver disease, a study has found.

Liver disease is often linked with people who consume too much alcohol over a long period, however UK researchers have found that most cases of the disease in people with type 2 diabetes are not related to alcohol. They are instead caused by an accumulation of fat within the cells of the liver - a condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

While many people with NAFLD experience no symptoms or complications, others can suffer inflammation and scarring of the liver. In its most severe form, liver failure can occur.

Using hospital records, the researchers assessed cases of liver disease among people with diabetes over a 10-year period. They found that men with type 2 diabetes were three times more likely to have NAFLD compared to men without diabetes.

While there were fewer cases of type 2 diabetes and liver disease found among the female patients studied, the researchers found that their risk of having NAFLD was five times higher.

The research team emphasised that most people can avoid NAFLD if they eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

"Preventing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by avoiding unhealthy lifestyles in both people with and without diabetes is important because it is difficult to treat the complications of this condition," commented Prof Sarah Wild of the University of Edinburgh.

The researchers added that people with NAFLD are more susceptible to the effects of alcohol on the liver and should avoid consuming alcohol to reduce the risk of more complications.

Details of these findings are published in the Journal of Hepatology.