UVA and seasonal patterning of 56 370 myocardial infarctions across Scotland, 2000–2011

Mackay, D. F. , Clemens, T. L., Hastie, C. E. , Cherrie, M. P.C., Dibben, C. and Pell, J. P. (2019) UVA and seasonal patterning of 56 370 myocardial infarctions across Scotland, 2000–2011. Journal of the American Heart Association, 8(23), e012551. (doi: 10.1161/JAHA.119.012551) (PMID:31747863)

Abstract

Background: Myocardial infarction exhibits seasonal patterning, with higher amplitude at increased latitude. Epidemiological evidence suggests that sunlight is protective against cardiovascular disease, independent of ambient temperature, but ultraviolet B–mediated vitamin D production has been discounted as causal. We aimed to determine whether ultraviolet A is associated with the seasonal patterning of myocardial infarction. Methods and Results: Routine hospitalization data were used to determine monthly incidence of myocardial infarction in Scotland between 2000 and 2011. Small‐area–level aggregated data were obtained on ambient temperature from the Meteorological Office and ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B irradiance from NASA satellites. Autoregressive distributed lag models were run for ultraviolet A and myocardial infarction, including adjustment for ambient temperature and ultraviolet B. Monthly incidence of myocardial infarction displayed winter peaks and summer troughs superimposed on the underlying trend, with a mean amplitude of 0.31 (95% CI: 0.21, 0.41) myocardial infarctions per 100 000 population per month. Ultraviolet A exposure was inversely associated with myocardial infarction independent of ambient temperature (coefficient, −0.05; 95% CI, −0.09, −0.01; P=0.015) and ultraviolet B UVB (coefficient, −0.05; 95% CI, −0.09, −0.02; P=0.004). Conclusions: Further research is required to explore whether an ultraviolet‐mediated mechanism different to vitamin D, such as nitric oxide–mediated vasodilatation, may play a causal role in the seasonal and geographical patterning of myocardial infarction.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: CEH was funded by Health Data Research UK. Provision of the UV data was co-funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, Medical Research Council and Chief Scientist Office (reference NE/P010911/1).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hastie, Dr Claire and Mackay, Professor Daniel and Pell, Professor Jill
• Authors: Mackay, D. F., Clemens, T. L., Hastie, C. E., Cherrie, M. P.C., Dibben, C., and Pell, J. P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: Journal of the American Heart Association
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 2047-9980
• ISSN (Online): 2047-9980
• Published Online: 21 November 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of the American Heart Association 8(23):e012551
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License