Low sun exposure habits is associated with a dose-dependent increased risk of hypertension: a report from the large MISS cohort

• Published in: Photochemical & photobiological sciences 2021-02, Vol.20 (2), p.285-292
• Main Authors: Lindqvist, Pelle G., Landin-Olsson, M., Olsson, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biochemistry; Biomaterials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Original Papers; Physical Chemistry; Plant Sciences
• ISSN: 1474-905X; 1474-9092
• DOI: 10.1007/s43630-021-00017-x

In prospective observational cohort studies, increasing sun exposure habits have been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality. Our aim was to assess possible observational mechanisms for this phenomenon. A written questionnaire was answered by 23,593 women in the year 2000 regarding risk factors for melanoma, including factors of possible interest for hypertension, such as detailed sun exposure habits, hypertension, marital status, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, BMI, exercise, and chronic high stress. Hypertension was measured by the proxy “use of hypertension medication” 2005–2007, and high stress by “need of anti-depressive medication”. Sun exposure habits was assessed by the number of `yes’ to the following questions; Do you sunbath during summer?, During winter vacation?, Do you travel south to sunbath?, Or do you use sun bed? Women answering ‘yes’ on one or two questions had moderate and those answering ‘yes’ on three or four as having greatest sun exposure. The main outcome was the risk of hypertension by sun exposure habits adjusted for confounding. As compared to those women with the greatest sun exposure, women with low and moderate sun exposure were at 41% and 15% higher odds of hypertension (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.3‒1.6, p