• More than 5 lakh participants recruited by the UK Biobank were assessed for the type of work, i.e., whether they are engaged in day work, irregular shift work, or permanent night shift work.

• The presence and degree of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were assessed based on the Dallas steatosis index (DSI), hepatic proton density fat fraction (PDFF), and ICD10 codes.

• Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to assess the effect of the type of work on NAFLD.

• Irregular shift workers had higher odds [OR 1.29 (1.2–1.4)] of having a high DSI score compared to the day workers.

• Permanent night shift workers had a higher but non-significant rise in DSI scores. 

• Extremes of chronotypes (time of preference for sleep) were also found to be associated with NAFD.

• The study emphasizes the need for actions to mitigate the detrimental effects of shift work on the development of pathological liver disease.

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