Prevalence of weather sensitivity in Germany and Canada

Abstract

Several studies have shown that atmospheric conditions can affect well-being or disease, and that some individuals seem to be more sensitive to weather than others. Since epidemiological data on the prevalence of weather-related health effects are lacking, two representative weather sensitivity (WS) surveys were conducted independently in Germany and Canada. The objectives of this paper are: (1) to identify the prevalence of WS in Germany and Canada, (2) to describe weather-related symptoms and the corresponding weather conditions, and (3) to compare the findings in the two countries. In Germany 1,064 citizens (age >16 years) were interviewed in January 2001, and in Canada 1,506 persons (age >18 years) were interviewed in January 1994. The results showed that 19.2% of the German population thought that weather affected their health "to a strong degree," 35.3% that weather had "some influence on their health" (sum of both = 54.5% weather sensitive), whereas the remaining 45.5% did not consider that weather had an effect on their health status. In Canada 61% of the respondents considered themselves to be sensitive to the weather. The highest prevalence of WS (high + some influence) in Germans was found in the age group older than 60 years (68%), which was almost identical in the Canadian population (69%). The highest frequencies of weather-related symptoms were reported in Germany for stormy weather (30%) and when it became colder (29%). In Canada mainly cold weather (46%), dampness (21%) and rain (20%) were considered to affect health more than other weather types. The most frequent symptoms reported in Germany were headache/migraine (61%), lethargy (47%), sleep disturbances (46%), fatigue (42%), joint pain (40%), irritation (31%), depression (27%), vertigo (26%), concentration problems (26%) and scar pain (23%). Canadian weather-sensitive persons reported colds (29%), psychological effects (28%) and painful joints, muscles or arthritis (10%). In Germany 32% of the weather-sensitive subjects reported themselves to be unable to do their regular work because of weather-related symptoms at least once in the previous year, and 22% of them several times. Co-morbidity was significantly higher in weather-sensitive subjects both in Germany and Canada. These results clearly showed the important impact of WS on public health and the economy. These findings prompted us to start studies on the causal factors of weather-related health effects.

Evaluation of the impact of atmospheric pressure in different seasons on blood pressure in patients with arterial hypertension

“…Some of the studies have confirmed that the flow of specific air masses is correlated with changes in well-being and the accompanying changes in blood pressure (BP) [2][3][4][5]. Patients with chronic diseases are more liable to weather changes compared to healthy individuals [6]. In the case of patients with hypertension, even small fluctuations in BP influenced by weather can potentially result in serious neurological and cardiovascular complications.…”

Migraine and the Environment

“…18 Headache and migraine were the most frequent weather-related symptoms experienced (61%). Sixty-one percent of the Canadian subjects considered themselves weather-sensitive but migraine and headaches were not commonly reported (<10%).…”

Az orvosmeteorológia történeti áttekintése – új horizont a preventív medicina területén

“…Napjainkban a légkörrel kapcsolatos szindróma (ARS) egyre nagyobb előfordulási arányt mutat. Mindazon fizikális, mentális, szociális jóllét állapotának változásával és/vagy betegségek kialakulásával, illetve súlyosbodásá-val járó állapotok, amelyek egyértelműen kapcsolatba hozhatóak időjárásfüggő légköri változásokkal, légkörrel kapcsolatos szindrómaként határozhatóak meg [3]. Tekintettel arra, hogy a globális klímaváltozás egyre inkább érzékelteti hatását, egyre gyakoribbak az extrém éghaj-lati események, az ARS-szindróma (atmosphere-related syndrome) különböző kórképeket kiváltó hatása miatt, századunk legújabb és talán egyik legnagyobb kihívást jelentő kórképe.…”