Weather and the pain in fibromyalgia: are they related?

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the association between fibromyalgic pain and weather to determine the nature of their interrelationship. Methods: The daily pain ratings of 55 female patients previously diagnosed with fibromyalgia were recorded on visual analogue scales (VAS) over 28 days. These ratings were then related to the official weather parameters and a composite weather variable using time series methodology. Effect sizes r were calculated from the t values and df. Results: A composite weather variable did not significantly predict changes in pain, either the same day (t=−1.15, df=1483, p=0.25) or on the next day (t=−1.55, df=1483, p=0.12)-that is, the weather was not a factor for changes in the subjective pain of FM. Patients' pain did not predict weather change in this sample, and neither same day (t=−0. 69, df=1483, p<0.49) nor previous day pain (t=−1.31, df=1483, p<0.19) predicted weather changes. A post hoc exploratory analysis showed that those with <10 years of fibromyalgia experienced significantly greater weather sensitivity to pain (t=− 2.73, df=389, p<0.006) than those with longer illness. Conclusion: A statistically significant relationship between fibromyalgic pain and the weather was not found in this sample, although it is possible that a group of patients with less chronic fibromyalgia might be weather sensitive.

Can the weather influence arthritis symptoms?

“…Table 1 summarizes the major findings of each study, showing which weather factors were involved, which of them were proved to be symptom-related and which were not (Table 1). [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] In Table 1 while 57% claimed to have ability to forecast weather; arthritis symptoms were significantly contributed by Beck depression score (psychological factor); the results did not prove or rule out the presence of weather-RA association OA, osteoarthritis; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; T, temperature; BP, barometric pressure; RH, relative humidity; P, precipitation; WS, wind speed; S, sunshine; DP, dew point; DPT, dew-point temperature; WVP, water vapor pressure; CC, cloud cover; SESC, The Space Environment Services Center (SESC) sunspot; SRF, solar radio flux; TH, thunderstorms; AS, average snowfall; E, evaporation. be symptom-related in 7 studies.…”

“…Actually, in a research about weather and pain in fibromyalgia (not included in the 12 studies), researchers used a composite daily weather variable which was calculated from indices like barometric pressure, temperature, humidity, sunlight, cloudiness etc. 21 Moreover, an earlier study which was conducted in a climate-controlled chamber showed that arthritis pain increased only when humidity increased and pressure decreased at the same time. There was no change in patients' pain perception if only one of them changed.…”

Seasonal Admission Rates of Geriatric Patients with Musculoskeletal Problems to Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Clinics

“…Conversely, other studies reported that weather conditions had no effect on the symptoms of rheumatic diseases [15][16][17][18][19]. Although methods of evaluation varied, all of the reviewed studies sought to answer the same question.…”

Does the Pain Associated with Temporomandibular Disorder Increase on Rainy Days?

“…To date, patients suffering the following diseases: OA in other joints, rheumatoid arthritis, 3,[5][6][7][8][9][10] fibromyalgia, low back pain, migraine, tension-type headaches 8,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] have demonstrated greater sensitivity to changes in weather with respect to pain intensity and characteristics. The patients with these diseases show more severe pain and difficulty in daily living than average TMD patients.…”