Meteorosensitivity in a Group of Patients Affected by Multiple Sclerosisand Hospitalized in a Rehabilitation Facility: An Observational Study

Abstract

Background: In the recent decades, the relationship between psycho-physical disorders and weather conditions has taken on an increased scientific solidity. Furthermore, it is known to every clinician that healthcare practice has an important role in the management of psycho-physical disorders of patients affected by multiple sclerosis. Given that meteorosensitivity is related to the psycho-physical feebleness, this study is an attempt to clarify if treatments in a non-acute care rehabilitation centre can reduce the meteorosensitivity in patients with multiple sclerosis. Methods:In the spring 2014, 42 patients with MS, at Fondazione Don Gnocchi Santa Maria Nascente Centre (Milan, Italy), were observed by two evaluations (initial and final). The initial evaluation was the administration of METEO-Q, a questionnaire able to quantify the meteorosensitivity degree of the subjects, and Beck Depression Inventory-II, mainly. For each patient, passed one month, the final evaluation was carried out with the same modalities.Results: A statistically significant difference was found between initial and final meteorosensitivity degree (P=0.01), with better scores in final evaluations for most of the subjects. The correlation between Beck Depression Inventory-II and meteorosensitivity degree resulted significant and positive (R=0.377; P=0.001) and it confirms the link between psycho-physical feebleness and meteorosensitivity. Finally, no significant correlation emerged between initial meteorosensitivity degree and body mass index (R=0.187; P=0.236). Conclusions:This study confirms the possibility of improving meteorosensitivity, probably by rehabilitation too. Future studies could clarify the effects of health care practice on meteorosensitivity.

Affective Temperaments and Meteoropathy Among Women: A Cross-sectional Study

“…Meteorological factors and other stressors may cause a challenge to the human physiological balance. When the balance is difficult to maintain, the development of somatic symptom disorder may be observed [20].…”

Heat Exposure and Multiple Sclerosis—A Regional and Temporal Analysis

“…While climate adaptability can only be improved upon with more time spent in a given area, an Italian study noted that climate susceptibil-ity ('meteorosensitivity') can be improved upon with specific behavioral changes. Thus, the latent effects of ambient meteorological conditions on risk for MS may be partially modifiable [40]. In our study, SD of temperature increased MS visit risk most strongly within the LMW, UMW, NE, and DSW regions.…”

Meteorosensitivity as a mediator between affective temperaments and insomnia among women

“…Our results suggest that cyclothymic and anxious temperaments, in particular, may contribute to increased sensitivity to weather phenomena and affect the severity of meteoropathy symptoms, including insomnia. As Freti et al (2017) suggested, meteorosensitive subjects display some difficulties in coping with psychophysical perturbations arising from meteorological events. According to the authors, the action of meteorological factors and other stressors can make maintaining a balance of physiological variables difficult.…”

“…According to Mazza et al (2012), meteorosensitivity describes the individually differing susceptibility to the impact of meteorological events that may, to a varying degree, cause new mental and somatic disorders or lead to the worsening of existing maladies. Freti et al (2017) asserted that human psychophysical reactivity (i.e. meteorosensitivity) and the ability to manage psychological stress affect the development of meteoropathy.…”