A new study in JAMA Dermatology reports that sun protective habits are not associated with decrease in bone mineral density or increased risk of osteoporotic fractures.

Researchers undertook a study to examine a possible link between sun-protective behaviors and bone mineral density (BMD) and the prevalence of osteoporotic fractures. Data of 3418 adults, aged 20-59 years, was sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2017 and 2018, which was analysed between September and November 2020. For the purpose of the study, three sun protective habits - staying in the shade, wearing long sleeved clothing and use of sunscreen - were examined with the help of a questionnaire answered as “always or most of the time, sometimes, or never or rarely”. The questionnaire also elicited information about intake of milk, vitamin D supplements, steroids and exercise.

About 31.6% participants reported frequent staying in the shade, nearly 12% reported wearing long sleeves, while 26.1% used sunscreens. However, no decrease in site-specific and total BMD z scores or increase in the risk for osteoporotic fractures was observed with these sun protective behaviors. Moderate to frequent staying in the shade was associated with reduced prevalence of spine fractures (odds ratio 0.19), which the authors attribute to the practice of risk-averse behaviors such as avoiding falls or high-risk activities.

This study of more than 3000 adults provides evidence that routine practice of sun-protective behaviors was not associated with  any negative outcomes in terms of BMD or osteoporotic fractures and supports the “safety and continued practice of sun-protective behaviors”.

Reference

1. Afarideh M, et al. Association of sun-protective behaviors with bone mineral density and osteoporotic bone fractures in US adults. JAMA Dermatol. 2021 Oct 27;e214143. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.4143.