Use the weather forecast to predict your arthritis pain

PEOPLE with arthritis are more likely to feel pain on humid, windy days, new smartphone research suggests.

Scientists from the University of Manchester found sufferers were 20% more likely to be in pain on days that are humid and windy with low atmospheric pressure than on days with average weather.

The study, funded by the charity Versus Arthritis, examined data from 2,658 people, who provided daily data on pain levels on most days for around six months.

The group had a range of different health issues, predominantly arthritis, but also including fibromyalgia, migraine and neuropathic pain.

Professor Will Dixon of the University of Manchester, who led the study, said: “Weather has been thought to affect symptoms in patients with arthritis since Hippocrates.

“Around three quarters of people living with arthritis believe their pain is affected by the weather.

“Yet, despite much research examining the existence and nature of this relationship, there remains no scientific consensus.

“Our analysis showed that on damp and windy days with low pressure the chances of experiencing more pain, compared to an average day, was around 20%.

“Given we can forecast the weather, it may be possible to develop a pain forecast. This would allow people to plan their activities, completing harder tasks on days predicted to have lower levels of pain.”

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