Sunlight exposure exerts immunomodulatory effects to reduce multiple sclerosis severity.

ABSTRACT: Multiple sclerosis (MS) disease risk is associated with reduced sun-exposure. This study assessed the relationship between measures of sun exposure (vitamin D [vitD], latitude) and MS severity in the setting of two multicenter cohort studies (n_NationMS = 946, n_BIONAT = 990). Additionally, effect-modification by medication and photosensitivity-associated MC1R variants was assessed. High serum vitD was associated with a reduced MS severity score (MSSS), reduced risk for relapses, and lower disability accumulation over time. Low latitude was associated with higher vitD, lower MSSS, fewer gadolinium-enhancing lesions, and lower disability accumulation. The association of latitude with disability was lacking in IFN-β-treated patients. In carriers of

SUBMITTER: Ostkamp P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7817192 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature