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The Relation of Ultraviolet Radiation and Multiple Sclerosis in Newfoundland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

JS Sloka ,
WEM Pryse-Phillips  and
M Stefanelli
JS Sloka
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine (Neurology), Memorial University of Newfoundland
WEM Pryse-Phillips
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine (Neurology), Health Sciences Center, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
M Stefanelli
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine (Neurology), Health Sciences Center, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
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Abstract

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Background:

It has been thought that the occurrence of multiple sclerosis (MS) could be associated with daily ultraviolet exposure. In this study we investigated the geospatial association between average daily ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiance and MS prevalence in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Canada.

Methods:

A complete list of patients diagnosed with MS in the province of NL was constructed. Places of habitation from birth to diagnosis were ascertained by mailout survey.

Results:

A 74% rate of return on the survey results was obtained. A plot of the average daily erythemal UV over the available five years (1998-2002) shows that the distribution of MS follow a north-south gradient. Average daily UVB measurements are lower in the higher latitudes. A statistically significant negative correlation of MS incidence with erythemal UVB was found that is stronger than the correlation using latitude. This correlation appears to be strongest in the first year of life and declines when subsequent years are examined up to age ten. No significant correlation was found for the subjects' locale of habitation at the time of their first MS attack.

Conclusions:

This study suggests that UVB radiation may contribute to the pathogenesis of MS.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ:<span class='italic'><span class='bold'>Contexte</span></span>:

Certains croient que l'apparition de la sclérose en plaques (SEP) pourrait être associée à l'exposition quotidienne aux rayons ultraviolets. Nous avons étudié l'association géospatiale entre le rayonnement ultraviolet B (UVB) quotidien moyen et la prévalence de la SEP à Terre-Neuve et au Labrador, au Canada.

<span class='italic'><span class='bold'>Méthodes</span></span>:

Nous avons établi une liste complète des patients chez qui un diagnostic de SEP a été posé dans cette province. Les lieux de résidence depuis la naissance jusqu'au moment du diagnostic ont été documentés au moyen d'un questionnaire par courrier.

<span class='italic'><span class='bold'>Résultats</span></span>:

Le taux de participation a été de 74%. Un diagramme illustrant le rayonnement ultraviolet quotidien moyen provoquant l'érythème au cours des cinq années pour lesquelles l'information était disponible (1998 à 2002) montre que les mesures UVB quotidiennes moyennes sont plus faibles aux plus latitudes élevées. Par contre, la distribution de la SEP a un gradient nord-sud. Nous avons constaté que la corrélation négative entre l'incidence de la SEP et le rayonnement UVB érythématogène est plus forte que la corrélation entre l'incidence de la SEP et la latitude. Cette corrélation semble être plus forte pour les premières années de vie et diminue quand on examine les années de vie ultérieures jusqu'à l'âge de dix ans. Nous n'avons pas constaté de corrélation significative avec le lieu de résidence au moment de la première poussée de SEP.

<span class='italic'><span class='bold'>Conclusion </span></span>:

Cette étude suggère que le rayonnement UVB puisse contribuer à la pathogenèse de la SEP.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 35 , Issue 1 , March 2008 , pp. 69 - 74
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2008

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