There have been some studies looking at the relationship between the weather and arthritis symptoms. These have resulted in conflicting conclusions.

One study looked at [...] No related posts.]]> Many arthritis sufferers say that their symptoms are worse in cold, damp weather and better in warm, dry weather. But is there any research to back up these perceptions?

There have been some studies looking at the relationship between the weather and arthritis symptoms. These have resulted in conflicting conclusions.

One study looked at 154 people with an average age of 72. These folks lived in Florida and had osteoarthritis of the neck, hand, shoulder, knee or foot. They recorded their arthritis pain scores every day for up to 2 years. The researchers then matched up these records with daily weather conditions, including temperature, barometric pressure and rainfall. In the end, the researchers found no significant correlation between the pain scores and the weather conditions with the exception of a slight association between rising barometric pressure and hand pain in women.

Another study included 151 people with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia, and 32 people without arthritis. All of the participants lived in Cordoba City, Argentina, which has a warm climate. The study participants kept a daily journal and recorded the presence and features of any pain. The researchers compared these to weather conditions, such as temperature, barometric pressure and humidity.

All of the study participants with arthritis reported more pain on cooler days, whereas those without arthritis reported no difference in pain levels regardless of weather conditions. The rheumatoid arthritis patients were affected by high pressure and high humidity; the fibromyalgia patients were affected by high pressure; and the osteoarthritis patients were affected by high humidity. However, the correlation was not high enough in any of these cases to predict pain levels based on the weather, nor the weather conditions based on pain levels.

Although there may be some evidence that warmer, drier climates reduce the number of episodes of arthritis pain, climate does not alter the progression of the disease.

Originally posted 2008-05-21 19:04:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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