Short sleep duration and risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background and aim: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. Several studies have suggested that short sleep duration could be a risk factor for NAFLD. However, results of those reports are inconsistent. This meta-analysis was conducted with an attempt to summarize all available data.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was performed using MEDLINE and EMBASE database. Studies that reported relative risks, odd ratios or hazard ratios comparing the risk of NAFLD among participants who had short sleep duration versus those with longer sleep duration were included. Pooled risk ratios and 95% confidence interval were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method.

Results: Six studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of NAFLD in participants who had short sleep duration was significantly higher than participants with longer sleep duration with pooled risk ratios of 1.19 (95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.36, I² = 0%).

Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a small but significantly increased risk of NAFLD among participants who had short sleep duration.

Keywords: insomnia; meta-analysis; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; sleep duration.