Association between Daily Sunlight Exposure and Fractures in Older Korean Adults with Osteoporosis: A Nationwide Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose We aimed to investigate the association between daily sunlight exposure duration and fractures in older Korean adults with osteoporosis. Materials and Methods We utilized data from the 2008–2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Osteoporosis was diagnosed based on a T-score of ≤−2.5 using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The duration of daily sunlight exposure and fracture were assessed via intensive health interviews by trained staff using standardized health questionnaires. Fracture was defined as one or more fractures of the femur, wrist, and spine. Results A total of 638 patients with osteoporosis aged ≥65 years were included. The odds ratio (OR) of total fractures was 0.55 times lower in the group with ≥5 h of daily sunlight exposure than in the group with <5 h of exposure after adjusting for age, sex, family history of osteoporosis or fracture, body mass index, bone mineral density of the femoral neck, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, current smoking, alcohol intake, daily calcium intake, and physical activity [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31–0.97, p =0.040]. In patients with vitamin D insufficiency, the OR of total fracture was 0.52 times lower in the group with ≥5 h of daily sunlight exposure than in the group with less exposure after adjusting the above variables (95% CI 0.28–0.97, p =0.041). Conclusion Sunlight exposure for ≥5 h a day was significantly associated with a decreased OR of fracture in older Korean adults with osteoporosis. This association was also significant in patients with vitamin D insufficiency.

Osteoporosis in COPD patients: Risk factors and pulmonary rehabilitation

“…Protein and vitamin C increase the absorption of calcium in the body, so patients are recommended to eat lean meat, fish, beans, milk and vitamin‐rich vegetables and fruits 83,87,88 . At the same time, sufficient sunshine should be kept to promote the absorption of calcium 80,89 . It is recommended that we can be exposed to the sun for 15 to 30 min from 11:00 AM to 15:00 PM.…”

“…83,87,88 At the same time, sufficient sunshine should be kept to promote the absorption of calcium. 80,89 It is recommended that we can be exposed to the sun for 15 to 30 min from 11:00 AM to 15:00 PM.…”

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“…Vitamin D in the body is mainly obtained from skin synthesis which begins with exposure to ultraviolet B, besides that vitamin D can also be obtained from foods but in a smaller amount [33]. Lee et al [24] found an association between sunlight exposure with exposure duration ≥5 hours a day with a lower risk of fracture in patients with osteoporosis. Kopiczko [22] conducted a study on adult polish women and found that adequate past and present exposure to sunlight were the factors that significantly affect bone mineralization.…”

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“…The scientific basis of light therapy can be traced back to the late 19th century when researchers revealed that light plays a significant role in regulating various levels of animal life activities, such as gene expression, energy metabolism, cell proliferation, skeletal development, and ontogenesis. 7,9,10 In 1895, the Danish physician Niels R. Finsen discovered that red light helped the healing of skin lesions in patients with smallpox and lupus vulgaris. 11 Subsequently, he used this method to cure nearly a thousand patients, and then paved the way for scientific light therapy, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1903.…”