Science Corner

Sunlight Exposure May Slow Progression of Disability in Patients with MS

Researchers investigated sunlight exposure and sun sensitivity in relation to disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) via surveys among persons with MS in Belgium, and stratified data according to relapsing-onset and progressive-onset MS. Study authors used Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses with time to Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 6 as outcome measure. 704 (51.3%) of the 1372 respondents had reached EDSS 6. In relapsing-onset MS, respondents reporting equal or higher levels of sun exposure than persons of the same age in the last 10 years had a decreased risk of reaching EDSS 6. In progressive-onset MS, increased sun sensitivity was associated with an increased hazard of reaching EDSS 6. Researchers concluded that higher sun exposure may be associated with better outcomes in relapsing-onset MS.

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