Sun exposure, vitamin D and age at disease onset in relapsing multiple sclerosis

Neuroepidemiology. 2011;36(1):39-45. doi: 10.1159/000322512. Epub 2010 Dec 16.

Abstract

Background: Current evidence suggests that sun exposure and vitamin D intake, during childhood and adolescence, are associated with a reduced risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the role of these environmental agents in the timing of disease symptom onset remains to be investigated.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we recruited participants from the Veterans Health Administration-Multiple Sclerosis Surveillance Registry. Self-reported histories of residential locations, sun exposure and intake of vitamin D were used to estimate vitamin-D-related exposures. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to examine the associations between these variables and age at MS onset.

Results: Among veterans with relapsing MS who resided in low-to-medium solar radiation areas (n = 540), low sun exposure in the fall/winter during the ages of 6-15 years was significantly associated with earlier symptom onset by 2.1 years (p = 0.02). Intake of cod liver oil during the same age period was associated with later onset of MS symptoms by 4 years (p = 0.02).

Conclusions: The current study provides evidence for an association between vitamin-D-related exposures during childhood and early adolescence and the timing of MS symptom onset, and supports vitamin D as a potential modulator of the clinical course of this disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age of Onset
  • Aged
  • Cod Liver Oil
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / epidemiology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / etiology*
  • Registries
  • Sex Factors
  • Sunlight*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vitamin D*

Substances

  • Vitamin D
  • Cod Liver Oil