Self-perceived weather sensitivity and joint pain in older people with osteoarthritis in six European countries: results from the European Project on OSteoArthritis (EPOSA)

Abstract

BackgroundPeople with osteoarthritis (OA) frequently report that their joint pain is influenced by weather conditions. This study aimed to examine whether there are differences in perceived joint pain between older people with OA who reported to be weather-sensitive versus those who did not in six European countries with different climates and to identify characteristics of older persons with OA that are most predictive of perceived weather sensitivity.MethodsBaseline data from the European Project on OSteoArthritis (EPOSA) were used. ACR classification criteria were used to determine OA. Participants with OA were asked about their perception of weather as influencing their pain. Using a two-week follow-up pain calendar, average self-reported joint pain was assessed (range: 0 (no pain)-10 (greatest pain intensity)). Linear regression analyses, logistic regression analyses and an independent t-test were used. Analyses were adjusted for several confounders.ResultsThe majority of participants with OA (67.2%) perceived the weather as affecting their pain. Weather-sensitive participants reported more pain than non-weather-sensitive participants (M = 4.1, SD = 2.4 versus M = 3.1, SD = 2.4; p < 0.001). After adjusting for several confounding factors, the association between self-perceived weather sensitivity and joint pain remained present (B = 0.37, p = 0.03). Logistic regression analyses revealed that women and more anxious people were more likely to report weather sensitivity. Older people with OA from Southern Europe were more likely to indicate themselves as weather-sensitive persons than those from Northern Europe.ConclusionsWeather (in)stability may have a greater impact on joint structures and pain perception in people from Southern Europe. The results emphasize the importance of considering weather sensitivity in daily life of older people with OA and may help to identify weather-sensitive older people with OA.

Physical Activity Patterns Among Older Adults With and Without Knee Osteoarthritis in Six European Countries

“…In Sweden, 74% of people agreed that "local sport clubs and other providers offer many opportunities for physical activity," compared to 54% in Italy (37). Finally, environmental conditions such as local climate have been found to affect pain perceptions in persons with OA (38), with a greater impact in Southern Europe. In summary, contextual factors seem to influence individuals' behavior when it comes to coping with their disease and influence whether they can build up a physically active lifestyle.…”

Weather Patterns Associated with Pain in Chronic-Pain Sufferers

“…Such ideas persisted until the eighteenth century (e.g., Miller 1962;Janković 2010, chapter 1). Today, a common belief among three-quarters of patients who suffer from chronic pain is that their daily pain levels fluctuate with the weather (e.g., Hagglund et al 1994;Timmermans et al 2014).…”

Do Weather Changes Affect Veterans’ Outpatient, Pain Management Clinic Attendance?

“…1,50 Higher levels of anxiety and depression have also been found to be predictors of weather sensitivity. 51 Likewise, there is overwhelming evidence that pain is influenced by mood disorders. [52][53][54][55][56] Past scholars have suggested a mediating relationship such that weather affects mood and, in turn, mood affects pain.…”

“…64 Other studies investigating military personnel have found the most frequently reported reason for missing appointments was administrative error (including believing their appointment was on another date, having cancelled the appointment, and not knowing they had an appointment). 65 Furthermore, due to limitations of this archival collection, demographics (e.g., gender differences 15,51 ) and other individual barriers to care (e.g., distance from the facility and/or finances 66 ) were not able to be assessed. Future studies would benefit from controlling for these variables to better understand the unique contribution of weather on treatment compliance for those with chronic pain conditions.…”