Tuberculosis incidence correlates with sunshine: an ecological 28-year time series study.

摘要: A potential mechanism for these associations includes decreased vitamin D levels with consequent impaired host defence arising from reduced sunshine exposure in winter. This is the longest time series of any published study and our use statutory notifications means this data essentially complete. We cannot, however, exclude possibility that another factor closely correlated seasons, other than sunshine, responsible. Furthermore, to sunlight depends not only on total hours but also multiple individual factors. Our results should therefore be considered hypothesis-generating. Confirmation a causal relationship between winter deficiency summer peaks tuberculosis incidence would require randomized-controlled trial effect supplementation future incidence.