Seasonal Variation in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Introduction[edit | edit source]

The prevalance rate of Rheumatoid arthris in India is 0.28- 0.7% of adult population ,which accounts to a large number of peple considering the population of the country.Globally the prevalance rate is 1% increasing with age and peking with 35 to 50 years of age.many researhers have reported seasonal based flare up of RA in all kinds of population.certain population experiences an acute flare up in winters some in summers and certai poupltaion have a worsening RA which aggrevates with time.If we as physiotherpist are able to find out specific duration of flareups so can we curtail the disease or can making changes in location prevent ra.

researhrs have mainly documented atomspheric pressure ,humidy and temperature as the main markers that leads to flare ups.

Influence of seasonal parameters on joints[edit | edit source]

Atmospheric Pressure:it is said to be the main culprit for the joint pai. Changes in barometric pressure may make your tendons, muscles, and any scar tissue expand and contract, and that can create pain in joints affected by arthritis. Low temperatures can also make the fluid inside joints thicker, so they feel stiffer.

The Arthritis Foundation published a study from Tufts University in 2007 that found that every 10-degree drop in temperature corresponded with an incremental increase in arthritis pain

The barometer is falling and the atmospheric pressure and the body spaces have been at a stable place for several days or weeks. Now, weather is coming. The outside pressure has fallen and the body must now compensate, but this is not immediate. Initially the decreased pressure outside will allow the tissues internally to swell outward, until the body finds equilibrium. So, you have pain on the day the barometer moves (it may not be raining yet, but its coming!). The next day, when it is rainy - the barometer may have stabilized and there is little if any pain. And if the rain lasts for several days and the barometer stays put, the pain goes away. As the barometer rises, the relative pressure inside the body decreases (because it is being compressed, decreasing the size of the joint capsule) and the pain goes away completely leaving the patient feeling as if they were younger again. Less pain, less stiffness.

humidy:Some studies also show that high humidity levels can cause sweating and dehydration which can make the blood thicker, which increases blood pressure in the blood vessels and makes the body work more to pump blood through the body.5,6 Humid days can also cause the body to become dehydrated, which can decrease the concentration of fluid around the joints and create more joint pain.

Temperature: Low temperatures may also increase the thickness of joint fluids, making them stiffer and perhaps more sensitive to pain during movement.

All the above factors does lead to inflammatory response in joints and the blood reports does conclude a maked increase in creactive proteins,hence triggers ra.