Association between occupational noise exposure and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease

The mediating role of body mass index in automotive manufacturing workers

Bibliographic Data

ID22075474
AuthorsZ Y Chen (0009-0001-8031-176X, Sun Yat-sen University), Zhaoqian Chen (Key Laboratory of Occupational Environment and Health, Guangzhou Twelfth People's Hospital), Jiaheng Yu (Sun Yat-sen University), Sijia Ou (North Sichuan Medical University), Yanmei Ruan (0000-0001-5777-7054, Twelfth Guangzhou City People's Hospital), Xing Rong (0000-0001-8788-0896, Twelfth Guangzhou City People's Hospital), Yuxia Zhang (0000-0003-4419-7004, Twelfth Guangzhou City People's Hospital), Haijuan Huang (Sun Yat-sen University), Jiaxin Cui (0000-0002-5448-2522, Sun Yat-sen University), Zhi Wang (0009-0000-2910-4821, Twelfth Guangzhou City People's Hospital)
Year2026
Volume14
Publication date2026-07-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1793888
OpenAlexW7167615125
LanguageEN
References cited50

Background Occupational noise exposure has been linked to various adverse health outcomes, including metabolic disorders. However, limited evidence exists regarding its association with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This study aimed to investigate the association between occupational noise exposure and MAFLD among automotive manufacturing workers, providing scientific evidence for the prevention and management of MAFLD in occupational populations. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 3,427 male workers from two automobile manufacturing enterprises in Guangzhou, China, was conducted in 2023. Individual occupational noise exposure levels were assessed via cumulative noise exposure (CNE). MAFLD was diagnosed on the basis of ultrasound imaging and metabolic criteria, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, or metabolic dysregulation. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations between CNE and MAFLD, adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and clinical covariates. The interaction effects of shift work and hearing protection device use were analyzed. Mediation analysis was used to assess the role of body mass index (BMI) in the relationship between CNE and MAFLD. Results According to the continuous models, each 1 dB-year increase in the CNE was associated with a 1.05-fold increased risk of MAFLD (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.08). According to the categorical models, workers in the highest CNE quartile (>89.651 dB-years) had a significantly greater risk of MAFLD (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.16) than did those in the lowest quartile. Subgroup analyses revealed that the association was more pronounced among workers who did not use hearing protection devices or worked night shifts ( p for interaction<0.01). Body mass index (BMI) partially mediated the association between CNE and MAFLD, accounting for 3.48% of the total effect. Conclusion Occupational noise exposure was associated with higher odds of MAFLD, and BMI partially mediated this association. Night/shift work and hearing protection use affect this relationship. These findings emphasize the need for effective noise control and occupational health interventions to mitigate MAFLD risk among workers exposed to noise

Body mass index · Fatty liver · Logistic regression · Occupational exposure · Occupational medicine · Occupational safety and health · Quartile · Effects of Vibration on Health · Noise Effects and Management · Occupational Health and Performance

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