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  • Sun Exposure across the Life Course Significantly Modulates Early Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Course

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    Author(s)
    Simpson, Steve
    van der Mei, Ingrid
    Lucas, Robyn M
    Ponsonby, Anne-Louise
    Broadley, Simon
    Blizzard, Leigh
    Taylor, Bruce
    Griffith University Author(s)
    Broadley, Simon
    Year published
    2018
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    Abstract
    Background: Low vitamin D and/or sun exposure have been associated with increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) onset. However, comparatively, few studies have prospectively examined associations between these factors and clinical course. Objectives: To evaluate the association of sun exposure parameters and vitamin D levels with conversion to MS and relapse risk in a prospectively monitored cohort of 145 participants followed after a first demyelinating event up to 5-year review (AusLong Study). Methods: Sun exposure prior to and after onset measured by annual questionnaire; ultraviolet radiation (UVR) “load” estimated ...
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    Background: Low vitamin D and/or sun exposure have been associated with increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) onset. However, comparatively, few studies have prospectively examined associations between these factors and clinical course. Objectives: To evaluate the association of sun exposure parameters and vitamin D levels with conversion to MS and relapse risk in a prospectively monitored cohort of 145 participants followed after a first demyelinating event up to 5-year review (AusLong Study). Methods: Sun exposure prior to and after onset measured by annual questionnaire; ultraviolet radiation (UVR) “load” estimated by location of residence over the life course and ambient UVR levels. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations measured at baseline, 2/3-year, and 5-year review. MS conversion and relapse assessed by neurologist assessment and medical record review. Results: Over two-thirds (69%) of those followed to 5-year review (100/145) converted to MS, with a total of 252 relapses. Higher pre-MS onset sun exposure was associated with reduced risk of MS conversion, with internal consistency between measures and dose–response relationships. Analogous associations were also seen with risk of relapse, albeit less strong. No consistent associations were observed between postonset sun exposure and clinical course, however. Notably, those who increased their sun exposure during follow-up had significantly reduced hazards of MS conversion and relapse. Serum 25(OH)D levels and vitamin D supplementation were not associated with conversion to MS or relapse hazard. Conclusion: We found that preonset sun exposure was protective against subsequent conversion to MS and relapses. While consistent associations between postonset sun exposure or serum 25(OH)D level and clinical course were not evident, possibly masked by behavior change, those participants who markedly increased their sun exposure demonstrated a reduced MS conversion and relapse hazard, suggesting beneficial effects of sun exposure on clinical course.
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    Journal Title
    Frontiers in Neurology
    Volume
    9
    DOI
    https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2018.00016
    Copyright Statement
    © 2018 Simpson, van der Mei, Lucas, Ponsonby, Broadley, Blizzard, Ausimmune/AusLong Investigators Group and Taylor. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
    Subject
    Clinical sciences
    Clinical sciences not elsewhere classified
    Neurosciences
    Psychology
    Publication URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10072/380285
    Collection
    • Journal articles

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