Whether Weather Affects Arthritis
Medical Author:
William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Doctors who specialize in the treatment of patients with arthritis (myself included)
generally agree that many patients experience a worsening of joint symptoms with changes
in the weather. Moreover, folklore holds that the weather can affect arthritis as emphasized
by sayings like "feeling under the weather." We know, for example, that weather clearly
influences many health conditions. Examples of this relationship include altitude and
ears popping, pollens in the air and asthma or sinus infection, sun rays and skin
burning or skin cancer, cold weather and heart attacks, and gloomy, dark weather and
depression. We also know that heat packs or hot showers can relax the muscles around
the joints and relieve stiffness and pain for some. Conversely, ice packs can ease
the inflammation in the joints themselves.
But does the weather actually affect arthritis? If so, how?
First, there hasn't been much real research science. In 1961, a famous arthritis specialist,
J. Hollander M.D., conducted a study in which he built a climate chamber and demonstrated that
high humidity combined with low barometric pressure were associated with increased joint pain
and stiffness. Neither weather factor by itself seemed to influence joint symptoms. The study
has been criticized because of the limited number of patients evaluated (12 patients). The
theory of the study is that inflamed joints swell as the barometric pressure drops. This
swelling irritates the nerves around the joints that sense pain and causes more stiffness.
Well, if this theory proved correct (and it is not universally accepted), should
a person with arthritis move to a region with a dry climate?
The answer is no. Relocating to a different climatic environment does not seem to
make a difference in the long run. Scientific studies have shown that no matter where
people live their bodies seem to establish a new equilibrium to the local climate. As a
result, changes in the weather affect the arthritis symptoms in the same manner regardless
of the actual overall average weather. Moving is not likely to be beneficial long term.
(To emphasize a point, I can tell you that there are plenty of busy rheumatologists in Arizona!)
What is the bottom line?
It appears that there is some evidence that the symptoms of certain persons with arthritis
are influenced by CHANGES in the weather. This is not true for all people with arthritis, nor
is it predictable what type of weather alterations will bother people. For example, in one room
I may have a patient that complains that last week just before it rained, her joints began aching
and now that it is warm, clear weather she feels better. Simultaneously, in the next room, a
patient tells me that her joints are far worse today after it rained last week! What do I do with
this information? Well, each patient must be evaluated (and evaluate themselves) uniquely. The
bottom line is that while the exact cause(s) of the activation of arthritis symptoms may not yet
be scientifically understood, each patient must make lifestyle and/or medication adjustments
according to the particular weather conditions that they note influence their symptoms.
If a patient does experience joint pain and stiffness with weather changes, how harmful is this?
It is very important to appreciate that only joint SYMPTOMS (such as pain and stiffness) are
influenced by weather. We do not have any evidence that weather changes lead to joint damage.
Furthermore, weather changes have not been related to whether or not an individual develops arthritis.
Special Rheumatic Conditions
There are special rheumatic conditions that may be associated with arthritis and are clearly
influenced by weather. In fact, as a rheumatologist, it is my job to inform patients with these
conditions that they should do their best to avoid aggravating these conditions by limiting their
exposure to certain weather situations. Here are some of these special conditions:
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