Diabetes patients' long naps linked to deadly liver disease risk: study

The study found that participants with type 2 diabetes who regularly napped for more than 30 minutes per day exhibited a higher risk of developing MASLD. This association held true even when nighttime sleep quality was good. However, the risk was significantly amplified when long daytime naps were combined with poor nighttime sleep, more than tripling the likelihood of developing the liver condition.

MASLD, previously known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is characterized by excess fat accumulation in the liver and is often associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Researchers aimed to explore whether simple questions about sleep behavior could help identify high-risk individuals, complementing traditional medical assessments.

The data, collected via questionnaires between 2017 and 2024, categorized participants based on their nighttime sleep quality and napping habits. Over an average follow-up of slightly over three years, 379 new cases of MASLD were diagnosed. Compared to those with good nighttime sleep and short naps, all other sleep pattern groups showed a higher risk of developing the disease.

While the study highlights an association, experts emphasize it does not imply that all nappers will develop liver disease. Instead, it points to sleep habits as a modifiable factor that individuals with diabetes might consider adjusting to potentially mitigate health risks. Healthcare providers may use this information to encourage patients to pay attention to their napping habits as part of comprehensive diabetes and liver health management.