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.
“Our findings provide robust evidence that loneliness and social isolation are not just mental health issues but also critical factors in the development of metabolic diseases like NAFLD,” said Professor Huang, one of the authors of the study. “Interventions that target these social determinants, alongside promoting healthier lifestyles, could be transformative for public health.”
The researchers emphasize the need for further studies in diverse populations and longitudinal settings to confirm and expand these findings and also call for integrated prevention strategies.
Reference: Ya Miao, Xiaoke Kong, Bin Zhao, Fang Fang, Jin Chai, Jiaqi Huang. Loneliness and Social Isolation with Risk of Incident Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, UK Biobank 2006 to 2022. Health Data Sci. 2025;5:0220.DOI:10.34133/hds.0220
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