| Title: | Time spent in outdoor light is associated with the dynamic progression of mental disorder: A prospective study in the UK biobank |
| Journal: | Public Health |
| Published: | 29 May 2026 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42214893/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2026.106347 |
Publication 19873
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Ecological studies have highlighted the role of sunlight in mental disorders (MD) development, yet evidence regarding individual-level sunlight exposure and its impact on the dynamic progression of MD remains limited.</p>
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.</p>
METHODS: Data were obtained from the UK Biobank database. Self-report sunlight exposure was available from questionnaires. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) and Cox model were used to explore associations between sunlight exposure and first MD (FMD), MD multimorbidity (MDM), and all-cause death. The multistate model was performed to explore the effects of sunlight exposure on MD trajectories. Finally, seasonal and sex-specific associations between them were assessed.</p>
RESULTS: 273,261 participants were included in this study, among whom 33,964 subjects developed FMD, 8306 subjects developed MDM, and 17,233 subjects developed deaths. The non-linear relationships between sunlight exposure on average and FMD, MDM, and death were noticed and the lowest risk was found at 1.5h/day. The multistate model found that >1.5h/day sunlight exposure was significantly associated with the increased risk of transitions from baseline to death and FMD, especially depression, dementia, and substance disorder compared to 1.5h/day. Excessive sunlight exposure was also significantly related to a higher risk of transitions from FMD to MDM, particularly from anxiety or dementia to MDM. Additionally, seasonal and sex-related effects of sunlight exposure on MD transitions were observed.</p>
CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate sunlight exposure might play a critical part in MD progression. Our findings could provide evidence-based strategies for the adoption of sunlight exposure in the prevention and management of MDs.</p>
6 Authors
- Xiaodie Li
- Xihang Fu
- Xinxin Gao
- Qianlin Zuo
- Shifan Qin
- Jing Wu
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 88159 | Fine-mapping, genetic correlation and genetic risk prediction for complex traits in different populations |
Enabling scientific discoveries that improve human health