Can Loneliness Lead to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease? Study Finds Out
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Loneliness and social isolation have been linked to an elevated risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), according to a study published in Health Data Science. The study analyzed data from over 400,000 participants in the UK Biobank, shedding light on the far-reaching impacts of social factors on liver health.
Using detailed assessments of participants' social connections and emotional well-being, the study found that loneliness increased the risk of developing NAFLD by 22%, while social isolation raised the risk by 13%, independent of traditional risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and lifestyle behaviors. Remarkably, the associations persisted after adjusting for mutual influences between loneliness and social isolation, highlighting their independent effects.
The study’s mediation analysis revealed that unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, depression, and inflammatory responses partially explained these associations. Specifically, lifestyle factors like obesity, smoking, and irregular physical activity accounted for up to 30% of the observed risk linked to loneliness, while depression contributed an additional 33%. These findings underscore the importance of addressing both psychological and behavioral factors to mitigate NAFLD risk.
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