People with diabetes may be more susceptible to contracting acute hepatitis B, according to data analysis performed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

For the study, the researchers analyzed 2009-2010 data from over 12 million participants in the CDC’s Emerging Infections Program -study sites are located in Connecticut, Colorado, Oregon, and New York City-which they compared with behavioral data from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys.

The scientists found that of the patients surveyed with acute hepatitis B whose diabetes status was known, 15 percent had diabetes. This was almost double the 8.4 percent diabetes rate of the entire study population.

People with diabetes and acute hepatitis B also reported fewer risk factors for hepatitis than non-diabetics. For example, 3 percent of the diabetics reported using injected drugs, as compared to 7 percent of the non-diabetics.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is contemplating a recommendation that people with diabetes get immunized against hepatitis B. Click here to read more about getting vaccinated against hepatitis B.