Link Between Sun Exposure And Development Of Autoimmune Diseases In Women

According to a study conducted by researchers at National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight may be linked to the development of certain autoimmune diseases, particularly in women.

Frederick W. Miller, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the Environmental Autoimmunity Group, Program of Clinical Research, at NIEHS, said, “this study found women who lived in areas with higher levels of ultraviolet radiation exposure when they developed an autoimmune muscle disease called myositis were more likely to develop the form known as dermatomyositis, which weakens the muscles and causes distinctive rashes, instead of the form called polymyositis that does not have a rash”.

Miller said, “although this study did not show a direct cause and effect link between ultraviolet radiation and this particular autoimmune diseasse, it confirms the link between ultraviolet radiation levels and the frequency of dermatomyositis that was found in previous investigation”.

Source: NIEHS