Kanwal F, Kramer J, Li L, et al. - Among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD; most common liver condition), researchers assessed the independent and joint effects of metabolic traits on the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). They gathered a retrospective cohort of NAFLD patients diagnosed at 130 facilities in the Veterans Administration from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2008, with follow-up through December 31, 2015. Of the 271,906 individuals, 22,794 developed cirrhosis, and 253 developed HCC during a mean of 9 years follow up. In NAFLD patients, each additional metabolic trait raised the risk of cirrhosis and HCC. Diabetes presented HCC with the highest risk of progression. For secondary prevention, diabetic patients with co-existing hypertension and obesity may be important targets.