People with type 2 diabetes who nap longer than 30 minutes every day, regardless of their sleep patterns at night, increase their risk of developing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), according to a study being presented Monday at ENDO 2026, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Chicago, Ill.
MASLD, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), occurs when too much fat builds up in the liver. This chronic disorder may be caused by several conditions, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. The research team wanted to determine whether sleep behavior could be a better predictor of MASLD than standard medical tests. If so, physicians could use simple sleep questions to identify those at higher risk of developing MASLD.
"Our work suggests long naps independently increase the likelihood of MASLD in individuals with type 2 diabetes," said Xuejiang Gu, M.D., Ph.D., executive director of the Endocrinology Department at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China. "However, poor nocturnal sleep combined with long naps more than triples MASLD risk in this population."
For this study, Gu and colleagues collected sleep data by questionnaire from 1,900 adults with type 2 diabetes, aged 18-85 years old, between 2017 and 2024. The scientists divided the participants into four sleep modes: 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. Team members used Multivariate Cox regression analysis to examine the association between sleep characteristics and MASLD.
During the average follow-up time of a little more than three years, 379 new MASLD cases arose. Compared with people in the good nocturnal sleep with short nap group, participants in the other three categories were associated with a higher risk of MASLD.
Gu maintains that sleep habits are daily, modifiable behaviors that offer people with type 2 diabetes a practical way to prevent MASLD.
"Our public health message to them is to nap wisely," Gu said.
About the Endocrine Society
Endocrinologists are at the core of solving the most pressing health problems of our time, including diabetes, obesity, infertility, bone health, and hormone-related cancers. The Endocrine Society is the largest global organization of scientists devoted to hormone research and physicians who care for people with hormone-related conditions.
With more than 18,000 members in 133 countries, the Society serves as the voice of the endocrine field. Through its renowned journals and ENDO, the world's largest endocrine meeting, the Society accelerates hormone research, advances clinical excellence in endocrinology, and advocates for evidence-based policies on behalf of the global endocrine community. To learn more, visit our online newsroom.
Colleen Williams Associate Director, Communications and Media Relations Phone: (202)-971-3611 [email protected]
Jenni Glenn Gingery Director, Communications and Media Relations Phone: (202)-971-3655 [email protected]
The Endocrine News podcast brings you the latest research and clinical advances from experts in the field, whether you are in your car, office, or out for a run.
Our top-ranked peer-reviewed journals are among the first to publish major developments and discovery milestones.
