People with type 2 diabetes who nap longer than 30 minutes each day, regardless of their nighttime sleep patterns, increase their risk of developing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), according to a study being presented at ENDO 2026, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Chicago, Ill., on June 15.
MASLD, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is a chronic disorder that occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver. The condition may be caused by several factors including obesity and type 2 diabetes. The research team aimed to determine whether sleep behavior could serve as a better predictor of MASLD than standard medical tests. If so, physicians might use simple questions about sleep habits to identify individuals at higher risk for developing MASLD.
The study collected questionnaire-based sleep data from 1,900 adults with type 2 diabetes between the ages of 18 and 85 from the years 2017 through 2024. Participants were categorized into four groups: good nocturnal sleep with short nap, good nocturnal sleep with long nap, poor nocturnal sleep with short nap, and poor nocturnal sleep with long nap. Researchers used multivariate Cox regression analysis to examine associations between these sleeping patterns and MASLD development.
During an average follow-up period of just over three years, there were 379 new cases of MASLD among participants. Compared to those who had good nighttime sleep and took short naps during the day, individuals in all other categories faced a higher risk for developing MASLD.
Gu said that daily sleeping habits are modifiable behaviors that provide people living with type 2 diabetes practical options for preventing MASLD. "Our public health message to them is to nap wisely," Gu said.
