Fluctuations of MS births and UV-light exposure

VERHEUL F., SMOLDERS J., TROJANO M., LEPORE V., ZWANIKKEN C., AMATO M. P., ...More

ACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, vol.127, no.5, pp.301-308, 2013 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 127 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2013
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/ane.12007
  • Journal Name: ACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.301-308
  • Keywords: multiple sclerosis, birth season, ultraviolet light, AMBIENT ULTRAVIOLET-RADIATION, ENVIRONMENTAL RISK-FACTORS, MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS, VITAMIN-D, INFECTIOUS-MONONUCLEOSIS, DISEASE PROGRESSION, SEASON, POPULATION, ASSOCIATION, LATITUDE
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are more frequently born in spring when compared to autumn. Fluctuation of UV-light has been hypothesized to drive this phenomenon. Aim To assess the correlation between fluctuation of sunlight and birth season in persons with MS. Methods For this record-linkage study, we collected from the international MSBase and the Italian MS iMed-web databases the dates of birth of 11,415 patients with MS from 36 centres from 15 countries worldwide and compared these to dates of live-births from national registries. From all participating sites, we collected data on UV-light fluctuation and assessed its correlation with seasonal fluctuation in MS births. Results Compared with the reference cohort, an increased proportion of persons with MS were born in spring and a decreased proportion in autumn (odds ratio (OR) to be born in spring versus autumn=1.158, 2=36.347, P<0.001). There was no significantly increased fluctuation of MS births with increased quartile of ambient UV-light fluctuation (Ptrend=0.086). Conclusion Seasonal fluctuation of MS births as found in this worldwide cohort of patients with MS did not correlate with variation in seasonal fluctuation of UV-light. Most likely, it results from a complex interplay between fluctuation of sunlight, behavioural factors, other environmental factors and (epi)genetic factors.