Influence of weather conditions on rheumatic diseases.

-Before the polar cold wave scheduled for today and the next few days, it is recommended the implementation of local heat, walking and moderate exercise to improve the mobility of joints

-in Spain osteoarthritis affects seven million people, being considered one of the leading causes of permanent incapacity for work

Barcelona, February 2012.- with the decrease of temperature and the sudden weather changes, consultations in rheumatology come as increasing the number of afflicted patients of more pain in the joints. For a few years, the commentary going to rain because it hurts the joints ” has scientific basis. A study by the Poal Rheumatology Institute of Barcelona and the unit of health articulated Bioiberica Farma confirmed that variations of atmospheric pressure and temperature affect people with arthrosis and arthritis.

Specifically, patients with arthritis experience an increase in pain joint at low atmospheric pressure (for example, a few days before it rains). However, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is the descent of the thermometer which exerts an effect on pain articulate.

Patient is right when he complains about ”, says Dr. Ingrid Möller, reumatóloga and Director of the Poal Institute of Barcelona. Dr Möller is situated 40% susceptible patients predict meteorological phenomena with their pain: Luckily, the change of time only influences the perception of pain and not aggravated the disease ”.

That is why it is important that, before the entry of a polar cold wave that is announced for today and the next few days, the quality of life of those suffering from arthrosis and arthritis is affected as little as possible. To improve symptoms, Dr. Móller recommends: apply local heat in the area of pain and mild exercise, such as walking or swimming, for desentumecer joints ”. Besides, remember that, in addition to painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, there specific medication for arthritis, so-called SYSADOA, which improve pain and functional capacity of the patient with an excellent safety profile.

Dr. Josep Vergés, clinical pharmacologist and medical director and Bioiberica Farma scientist explains that in the future, could be modular non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments of patients based on the weather forecast and avoid the pain and functional disability involving such diseases, thereby improving their quality of life ”.

Context of the study and data on arthritis

The study, published in Proceedings of the Western Pharmacology Society, held during two years with the Poal Institute of Rheumatology patients, and had the support of Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya, in line with its policy of research and social awareness, collaborated in the preparation of this study. It consisted of follow the day to day of 92 patients with rheumatic affectations and another group of 42 healthy people to compare perceptions.

According to data published by the Spanish society of Rheumatology, the clinical guidelines the arthrosis of the Spanish society of physicians in primary care (SEMERGEN), or study EPISER 2000, osteoarthritis of knee, hand, or vertebral column affects about 7 million Spaniards.