Question

Factcheck this: People with arthritis can predict the weather because of the arthritis-weather connection

Answer 1

Some arthritis patients are known to have increased joint pains due to the cols weather however, this does not conclude that they can predict the weather. 

According to Wexner Medical Center in Ohio State University, there has been independent association of certain types of weather and increased joint pain however, this study has not been able to be replicated.

Answer 2

This claim is somewhat true based on the facts at hand. I believe it is true, but make your own decision based on the facts. 

A study published in 1997 in the International Journal of Biometeorology has a few facts present which are relevant here. 

1) "Mean pain and rigidity scores for each time of each day were found to be correlated with the meteorological data. Correlations between mean symptoms and temperature and relative humidity were significant (P < 0.001)"

2)"Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that meteorological variables and time of day accounted for 38% of the variance in mean pain and 20% of the variance in mean rigidity when data of all months were considered."

This means you can be 99% sure that the pain and rigidity felt by arthritis patients was not explained by nothing, and was instead explained by variables of temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed and precipitation. 

In addition, the changing weather variables explained 38% percent of the variation in pain. The significance of this number is debated. Some researchers say only 25% percent of the variation should be explained by regression to be substantial, whereas others say it should be above 50% or even up to 75%. However, they would all agree that 38% is too much to be insignificant.

So, the 1997 study was able to show that weather variables like temperature and pressure had a real effect on the pain felt by arthritis patients. Thus, someone with arthritis could possibly predict a change in weather based on the amount of pain they felt that day, especially someone who has no other factors affecting their arthritis pain. If this person's arthritis suddenly flared up, and they lived in an area where pressure affected weather, they would be able to predict a change in weather.

Answer 3

According to Harvard Health, a recent study finds no connection between rainy weather and symptoms of back or joint pain. However, another article states that most research shows that some patients' joints are more affected by the weather than others.

Comments

Don't forget to add the source link to your fact-check (re: Harvard Health and the "other article" you refer to).

Answer 4

In a medically reviewed article by Healthline, there is some research to support the arthritis-weather connection, "but some studies fail to provide conclusive evidence". Change in pressure due to the weather outside can have a real impact on arthritis, but there isn't really any evidence to support that moving to a new location will help this condition.

Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/arthritis-weather#arthritis-and-weather

Answer 5

The main claim given in the article differs from the claim above. The article talks about the effect weather can have on people experiencing arthritis, related to pain and joint stiffness. This is backed up by other credible articles based on studies. An article from Harvard Health says that although some studies have been inconclusive or contradictory, there is some evidence to show that rising humidity, especially in the wintertime, and rising barometric pressure did lead to increased pain and stiffness for many arthritis patients. However, this all points to different weather effects on arthritis after the fact. The weather changes, leading to differences in pressure or humidity, which leads to more or less joint pain. There is no evidence at all that people can actually predict what the weather will be because of that effect.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-the-weather-really-worsen-arthritis-pain-201511208661

Comments

It's important to note that the Harvard article you're referring to is not an actual article, but a blog post, which typically is the opinion of the writer and not the institution as a whole. Generally, blog posts are not the best sources for fact-checks.

Answer 6

This statement can be considered true, and there is sufficient evidence to back it up. People with arthritis have bad joints compared to those without arthritis. Therefore, when the weather changes, people with arthritis can feel it, and their arthritis pain can be triggered by the weather. According to the Arthritis Society in Canada, "...rising barometric pressure and humidity can increase pain. We don't know why, exactly - it's been suggested that atmospheric changes affect circulation and fluid pressure in our joints, increasing inflammation."

Furthermore, my roommate has always suffered from arthritis, and she has told me herself that she can predict and feel when a storm is going to happen. When it rains, it is often hard for her to walk or get out of bed, because her joints are so inflamed. It is hard to say that this claim is false when I know someone firsthand that has experienced this with her arthritis.

Source: https://arthritis.ca/living-well/2021/weather-and-arthritis

Comments

I wonder if rising barometric pressure and humidity is an indication or the weather to come rather than the arthritis symptoms that accompany it. So you believe it is true that those with arthritis can predict the weather?