Are low ultraviolet B and vitamin D associated with higher incidence of multiple myeloma

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to determine whether an inverse association exists between latitude, solar ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiance, and incidence rates of multiple myeloma.Methods Associations of latitude and UVB irradiance with age-standardized incidence rates of multiple myeloma were analyzed for 175 countries while controlling for sex-specific obesity prevalence, cigarette consumption, and alcohol consumption using multiple linear regression.Results Incidence rates of multiple myeloma were greater at higher latitudes ( R 2 for latitude for males = 0.31, p R 2  = 0.27, p R 2  = 0.62, p R 2  = 0.51, p