Seasonal Variation in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Introduction[edit | edit source]

Rheumatoid arthris (RA) is a chronic,immuno_inflammatory,systemic diesase that mainly affects the synovial joints and extra articular structures of the body.This causes pain,swelling and stifness mainly in the periheral joints.The possible causes are genetic,smoking and post natal women.Apart from these RA during specific seasons have also been documented in many people.people may experience pain either during summers,winters or rainy season.What triggers these is not known yet but there have been many cases where changes in seasonal parameters have known to cause or trigger RA.

The seasonal parameters-Barometric pressure,temperature and humidy have known to cause a flare in RA or trigger the disease.

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

Atmospheric Pressure:Its is te force exerted by the atmosphere at a given point.It varies at different altitules from sea level.The atmospheroc pressure changes with change in seasons.This increase or decrese causes the tendons, muscles, and any scar tissue expand and contract, and that can create pain in joints affected by arthritis.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.

Humidity: 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 which can decrease the concentration of fluid around the joints and create more joint pain. The classic opinion, "Cold and wet is bad, warm and dry is good for RA patients," seems to be true only as far as humidity is concerned.

Temperature:It has been speculated that changes in temperature changes the thickness of joint fluids i.e. 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 togethere inititate various immunoligcal responses in RA.A change in season causes a raise in level of IgG antibodies (Rheumatoid factor),therby triggerin the RA inflamatory mechanims in the body.

role of physiotherapy[edit | edit source]

As physioherapist have a long term follow up with RA patients,they can document the seasonal parametrs using various wether apps during whih the patient experiences pain.Depending on these records we can predict when will there will be next trigger of RA and preplan the treatmet.

As per the protocl patient can be recommended various exercises before the onset of RA reducing the ai and stifness tehrfterFor examle the pain might experence ai whenver the pressure is 1002 mbar,humidy at 17% and temperature t 41degrees, so we can alert the patient whenver hese conditions are reached and take preventative measures.

Pneumatic pressure pumps have been found usefull in reducing pain and swelling duringa seasonal flare up.

Alternatively the patient can be asked to change the location whenevr the wether conditions turn unfavourable.

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