What is the link between sleep quality and fatty liver disease?
If people suffer from unhealthy sleep habits, such as sleeping poorly at night or regularly taking longer naps during the day, this is associated with an increased risk of developing fatty liver disease. People who do little exercise and who also have sleep problems are particularly affected.
In a new study involving experts from Sun Yat-sen University in China, the link between various dimensions of sleep behavior and the risk of fatty liver disease related to metabolic disorders has been analyzed in depth. The results are published in the "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism".
Widespread fatty liver disease
Fatty liver disease is the most common chronic liver disease in the world. Researchers report that about a quarter of the adult population is affected by this disease.
This type of liver disease is favored by the presence of metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. If fatty liver disease is present, it can lead to end-stage liver disease, according to the team.
Over 5,000 people have reported their sleeping habits
In the current research, sleep behavior information from 5,011 Chinese adult participants with existing fatty liver disease was analyzed. The data were used to determine associations between sleep behavior and the risk of fatty liver disease.
The experts also conducted a so-called mediation analysis to determine to what extent obesity influences the impact of sleep quality on the risk of fatty liver disease.
Impact of sleep on fatty liver disease
"People with poor nighttime sleep and longer daytime naps have the highest risk of developing fatty liver disease," reports study author Dr. Yan Liu of Sun Yat-University. sen in a press release about the study results.
The doctor adds that even a moderate improvement in sleep quality in the study reduced the likelihood of developing fatty liver disease by 29%.
Poor sleep promotes fatty liver disease
In contrast, late bedtime, snoring, and daytime naps longer than 30 minutes were significantly associated with an increased risk of fatty liver disease, the researchers report.
Additionally, people who sit for long periods of time every day and who are obese have been found to have more negative effects of poor sleep quality than other participants.
Improve sleep quality to protect against fatty liver disease
"Our study shows that even a moderate improvement in sleep quality is enough to reduce the risk of fatty liver disease, especially in people with unhealthy lifestyles," Dr. Liu reports.
“Given that a large portion of people with poor sleep quality are underdiagnosed and undertreated, our study calls for more research in this area and strategies to improve sleep quality,” adds doctor. (as)
Author and source information
Show nowThis text corresponds to the specifications of the specialized medical literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been verified by health professionals.
Sources:
Jialu Yang, Shiyun Luo, Rui Li, Jingmeng Ju, Zhuoyu Zhang, et al. : Sleep Factors Linked to Fatty Liver Disease Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese; in: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (published 2022-07-28), Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & MetabolismThe Endocrine Society: People with poor sleep behaviors may be at risk for fatty liver disease (published 2022-07-28 ), The Endocrine SocietyImportant Note:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. It cannot substitute a visit to the doctor.