Approved Research

Association between night shift work and NAFLD

Lay summary

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the most common chronic liver disease, affecting nearly one third of adults worldwide. The climbing prevalence of NAFLD was fueled by the rapid rise in obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other cardiometabolic diseases. NAFLD patients are associated with increased risks of hepatocellular carcinoma as well as extra-hepatic cancers. The burden of NAFLD prevalence has posed a big challenge to global health resources. It is urgent to explore the way of timely prevention and intervention of NAFLD. Mounting evidence has confirmed that shift work posed negative impact on individual health. In particular, long-term night shift work was associated with the increased risks of diabetes, atrial fibrillation, ischemic stroke and other cardiometabolic diseases. However, the association between night shift work and NAFLD was unclear. This proposed study aims to explore whether individuals with night shift work carry higher risks of developing NAFLD. This study will potentially provide evidence of the adverse impact of night shift work on NAFLD and reveal new approaches to prevent the development and progression of NAFLD.

Scope extension: The association between night shift work and NAFLD was unclear. This proposed study aims to explore whether individuals with night shift work carry higher risks of developing NAFLD. Shift work is also related to chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), so it is of interest to study the role of NCDs such as metabolic disorders, dementia, and CVD in this association. Furthermore, healthy lifestyle is also beneficial for human health. Several common modifiable lifestyle factors, such as alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity, smoking have been investigated elsewhere. Herein, we aim to explore the association of healthy lifestyle, especially diet quality and dietary nutrients, with the prognosis of NAFLD.