title: 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: BACKGROUND
  People 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline 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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Weather (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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. ej.timmermans@vumc.nl.
authors.forename: Erik J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Timmermans
authors.forename: Suzan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van der Pas
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Schaap
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Martínez
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zambon
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peter
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Elaine M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Dennison
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Denkinger
authors.forename: Maria Victoria
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Castell
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Siviero
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Herbolsheimer
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Otero
authors.forename: Dorly J H
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Deeg
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002980:Climate; D015897:Comorbidity; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004522:Educational Status; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D058748:Pain Perception; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014887:Weather
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics