The core of this review are questions dealing with links between diabetes mellitus and liver diseases. Based on the literature and on their own observations the authors conclude that a liver disease may induce and/or worsen the development of type-2 diabetes mellitus (so called hepatogenic diabetes) and vice versa, a diabetes may result in a liver damage, e.g. simple steatosis or even non-alcoholic-steatohepatitis. The diagnosis of diabetes in hepatopathy is defined according to the same criteria as in patients without any hepatic involvement. The treatment is based on adequate food intake without alcohol and on restricted physical activity. Complementary insulin treatment is recommended whenever the BG-concentrations in a daily profile exceed 10.0 mmol/l. Oral antidiabetic drugs should be used only if they result in a marked improvement of diabetes control and no signs of liver damage appear.

        Key words: Diabetes mellitus - Liver - Steatohepatitis - Complementary insulin treatment