ORIGINAL PAPER
Occupational-circadian disruption and physical inactivity are associated with fatty liver risk: based on liver ultrasound transient elastography
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1
Xi’an Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, China
(Department of Ultrasound)
2
Lintong Rehabilitation and Recuperation Center, Xi’an, China
(One Departments of Convalescence)
3
Xi’an Hospital of Civil Aviation, Xi’an, China
(Infection Management and Control Office)
4
Shaanxi Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
(Department of Ultrasonography)
Online publication date: 2026-07-21
Corresponding author
Hao Cheng
Shaanxi Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xi’an Jiaotong University, Department of Ultrasonography, No. 309, Yanta West Road, Yanta District, 710061 Xi’an, China
HIGHLIGHTS
- Floating shifts raised fatty liver disease (FLD) risk 40% vs. day shifts (OR = 1.40, p = 0.019).
- Floating shifts plus inactivity doubled FLD risk (OR = 2.01, p = 0.049).
- Moderate activity (200–400 metabolic equivalent task hours per week) reduced CAP gap between shifts.
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: This study investigated the conjointly negative effects of floating shift work and physical inactivity on fatty liver disease (FLD) using ultrasound-
based hepatic steatosis assessment. Material and Methods: Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations
between work shifts, physical activity (PA), and FLD. Stratified and subgroup analyses were conducted to assess effect modification. Linear and
quadratic regression models explored threshold effects of metabolic equivalent task (MET) levels on the degree of hepatic steatosis across shift types. Results: Data from 653 participants revealed that compared with the control group (controlled attenuation parameter – CAP <248), the case group
(CAP ≥ 248) had a significantly higher prevalence of floating shifts (53.8% vs. 43.5%, p = 0.008) and physical inactivity (27.8% vs. 19.1%, p = 0.032).
In multivariable-adjusted models, floating shifts independently increased FLD risk (odds ratio (OR) = 1.40, p = 0.019), while PA showed a borderline
association with lower FLD risk (OR = 0.57, p = 0.056). Strikingly, compared to the reference group (physically active day-shift workers), physically
inactive floating-shift workers had a higher risk of FLD (OR = 2.01, p = 0.049), highlighting the effects of occupational and behavioral factors.
Subgroup analyses identified advanced age (OR = 2.42, p = 0.034), obesity (OR = 12.87, p < 0.001), hypertension (OR = 2.66, p = 0.028), and diabetes
(OR = 6.21, p = 0.017) as critical risk factors among floating shift workers. At moderate METs (200–400 h/week), CAP values between floating and
day shift workers converged with minimal differences in the quadratic regression model. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the primary
findings: the FLD risk persisted after excluding liver diseases and with an alternative PA definition (≥22 MET-h/week). A stricter CAP threshold attenuated
the shift work association. Notably, adjusting for dietary pattern attenuated but did not eliminate the significant link between shift work and FLD (OR = 1.39, p = 0.030). Conclusions: These findings emphasize the urgent need for workplace interventions targeting shift schedules to mitigate
FLD risk, particularly in high-risk occupational populations. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2026;39(3)