Sunlight exposure and vitamin D in the ageing population (2)

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Sunlight exposure and vitamin D status in the UK's ageing population

• IRAS ID

  206468

• Contact name

  Lesley Rhodes

• Contact email

  lesley.e.rhodes@manchester.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  The University of Manchester

• ISRCTN Number

  ISRCTN14201277

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  University of Manchester Research Ethics Committee, 16143

• Duration of Study in the UK

  3 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  National guidance on requirements for vitamin D assume that casual exposure of limited areas of skin to summer sunlight is sufficient to avoid vitamin D deficiency. We have previously shown that a six week course of exposures to simulated summer sunlight while casually dressed (shorts and T-shirt) can produce adequate vitamin D levels in the majority of the UK white Caucasian population aged 20-60. We now plan to extend this work to determine if these exposures can produce a sufficient rise in vitamin D levels to avoid deficiency in older adults (65 years and over), and compare this to vitamin D acquired through natural sunlight exposure. Volunteers will undergo a six week course of simulated sunlight (ultraviolet light) exposures, identical to that in our previous study, with preceding assessment of summer peak and winter trough vitamin D status. Our findings may lead to modification of public health advice.

• REC name

  North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  16/NW/0467

• Date of REC Opinion

  27 Jun 2016

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion