Impact Of Sunlight on the Age Of Onset Of Bipolar Disorder

Authors

• Michael Bauer, Technische Universität Dresden
• Tasha Glenn, ChronoRecord Association
• Martin Alda, Dalhousie University
• Ole A. Andreassen, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine
• Raffaella Ardau, University-Hospital of Cagliari
• Frank Bellivier, Hôpital H. Mondor
• Michael Berk, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine
• Thomas D. Bjella, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine
• Letizia Bossini, University of Siena
• Maria Del Zompo, University-Hospital of Cagliari
• Seetal Dodd, Deakin University
• Andrea Fagiolini, University of Siena
• Mark A. Frye, Mayo Clinic
• Ana Gonzalez-Pinto, University of the Basque Country
• Chantal Henry, Université Paris-Est
• Flávio Kapczinkski, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
• Sebastian Kliwicki, Poznan University of Medical Science
• Barbara König, BIPOLAR Zentrum Wiener Neustadt
• Mauricio Kunz, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
• Beny Lafer, University of São Paulo
• Carlos Lopez-Jaramillo, Universidad de Antioquia
• Mirko Manchia, Dalhousie University
• Wendy Marsh, University of Massachusetts
• Monica Martinez-Cengotitabengoa, University of the Basque Country
• Ingrid Melle, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine
• Gunnar Morken, NTNU
• Rodrigo Munoz, University of California - San Diego
• Fabiano G. Nery, University of São Paulo
• Claire O'Donovan, Dalhousie University
• Andrea Pfennig, Technische Universität Dresden
• Danilo Quiroz, Mood Disorder Clinic EFESO
• Natalie Rasgon, Stanford University
• Andreas Reif, University of Würzburg
• Janusz Rybakowski, Poznan University of Medical Science
• Kemal Sagduyu, University of Missouri - Kansas City
• Christian Simhandi, BIPOLAR Zentrum Wiener Neustadt
• Carla Torrent, University of Barcelona
• Eduard Vieta, University of Barcelona
• Mark Zetin, Chapman UniversityFollow
• Peter C. Whybrow, University of California - Los Angeles

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2012

Abstract

Objective: Although bipolar disorder has high heritability, the onset occurs during several decades of life, suggesting that social and environmental factors may have considerable influence on disease onset. This study examined the association between the age of onset and sunlight at the location of onset.

Method: Data were obtained from 2414 patients with a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, according to DSM-IV criteria. Data were collected at 24 sites in 13 countries spanning latitudes 6.3 to 63.4 degrees from the equator, including data from both hemispheres. The age of onset and location of onset were obtained retrospectively, from patient records and/or direct interviews. Solar insolation data, or the amount of electromagnetic energy striking the surface of the earth, were obtained from the NASA Surface Meteorology and Solar Energy (SSE) database for each location of onset.

Results: The larger the maximum monthly increase in solar insolation at the location of onset, the younger the age of onset (coefficient= -4.724, 95% CI: -8.124 to -1.323, p = 0.006), controlling for each countrys median age. The maximum monthly increase in solar insolation occurred in springtime. No relationships were found between the age of onset and latitude, yearly total solar insolation, and the maximum monthly decrease in solar insolation. The largest maximum monthly increases in solar insolation occurred in diverse environments, including Norway, arid areas in California, and Chile.

Conclusion: The large maximum monthly increase in sunlight in springtime may have an important influence on the onset of bipolar disorder.

Comments

This is the accepted version of the following article:

Bauer, Michael, Tasha Glenn, Martin Alda, et al. Impact Of Sunlight on the Age Of Onset Of BipolarDisorders. < em>Bipolar Disorders14.6 (2012): 654-663.

which has been published in final form at DOI:10.1111/j.1399-5618.2012.01025.x

Recommended Citation

Bauer, M., Glenn, T. , Alda, M., et al. (2012). Impact Of Sunlight on the Age Of Onset Of Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar Disorders 14 (6), 654-663.
DOI:10.1111/j.1399-5618.2012.01025.x

Peer Reviewed

1

Copyright

Wiley-Blackwell