Study of the Relationship between the Pain and the Weather

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the pain and the weather. One hundred ninety three patients treated for pain were recruited for this study. All subjects completed a 8-item weather and pain questionnaire to find out whether the pain are related to change in the weather, Of all subjects, 126 patients(65.3%) believed that change in the weather affected their pain. Of theses 126 patients, 85 patients(67.5%) reported that their pain was affected before weather changes, 44 patients(34.9%) stated that their pain was affected during weather changes. Damp/Rainy(n=91, 72.2%) and cold(n=60, 47.6%) conditions were mostly considered to have influence on pain. Of all subjects, 125 patients(64.8%) believed that change in the weather affected their mood. In the female group, a tendency to have pain or mood sensitivity to change in the weather was significantly higher than the male group(p=0.006, p=0.003) In the non-religious group, a tendency to have pain or mood sensitivity to change in the weather was significantly higher than the religious group(p=0.006, p=0.004). Of the pain sensitive group to change in the weather, 97 patients(77.0%) reported that they also have mood sensitivity to change in the weather(p=0.000). In the pain or mood sensitive group to change in the weather, their pain intensity(VAS) was significantly higher than the other group(p=0.000, p=0.021). The results of this survey give support to the idea that most patients with pain believe that weather has an important impact on their pain. Further investigations are needed to identify the mechanisms involved in the effects of weather changes on pain.

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