Association between night shift work and non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): UK Biobank cohort
Summary
This study followed more than 280,000 adults in the UK Biobank for about 12 years to see if night-shift work was linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Researchers found that people who worked permanent night shifts were about 27% more likely to develop NAFLD compared with those who rarely or never worked nights. The risk was even higher for people with more years on night shifts, more shifts per month, longer than 12-hour shifts, or several nights in a row. Part of the link was explained by weight gain, but the increased risk was seen even after adjusting for lifestyle and health factors. Genetic risk didn’t change the results, suggesting that night-shift work itself plays a role.
Why It Matters For Night Shift Workers and Night Owls
Working nights doesn’t just affect sleep — it may also raise the risk of liver disease, especially if shifts are long, frequent, or packed back-to-back. The good news is that keeping a closer eye on weight, scheduling regular health checkups, and pushing for safer shift patterns could help lower that risk. Even if you have a family history of liver problems, this study shows that work patterns, not just genetics, make a difference.