It is believed that there is an association
between the weather and rheumatic symptoms. We aimed
... more It is believed that there is an association between the weather and rheumatic symptoms. We aimed to investigate what kind of association is present and what are the factors which determine the nature of this association. Fifty-six subjects with rheumatic disease (31 RA, 15 SpA, 10 OA) who live in Antalya were followed between December 2005 and July 2006. Patients were asked to fill diaries which contain questions regarding the symptoms of their rheumatic diseases everyday. In every monthly visit, disease activity measurement, laboratory assessment and Beck depression inventory assessment were recorded. The symptomatic and psychological measurements were matched with the meteorological data of Antalya Regional Directorate of Meteorological Service of Turkish State. Correlation of symptoms with weather variables was investigated. Contributory effect of weather and of psychologic factors on symptom scores were evaluated by stepwise multiple regression analysis. Eighty-four percent of subjects belive in an association between weather and rheumatism, while 57% claimed to have ability to forecast weather. The maximum correlation coefficient between weather and arthritis symptoms was -0.451 and the maximum contribution of weather on symptoms was 17.1%. Arthritis symptoms were significantly contributed by Beck depression score. The belief about presence of weather– arthritis association was found to be stronger than its statistical power. Our results did not prove or rule out the presence of weather–rheumatism association. As long as the scientific attempts result in failure, the intuitive support in favour of the presence of weather–arthritis association will go on forever.
It is believed that there is an association
between the weather and rheumatic symptoms. We aimed
... more It is believed that there is an association between the weather and rheumatic symptoms. We aimed to investigate what kind of association is present and what are the factors which determine the nature of this association. Fifty-six subjects with rheumatic disease (31 RA, 15 SpA, 10 OA) who live in Antalya were followed between December 2005 and July 2006. Patients were asked to fill diaries which contain questions regarding the symptoms of their rheumatic diseases everyday. In every monthly visit, disease activity measurement, laboratory assessment and Beck depression inventory assessment were recorded. The symptomatic and psychological measurements were matched with the meteorological data of Antalya Regional Directorate of Meteorological Service of Turkish State. Correlation of symptoms with weather variables was investigated. Contributory effect of weather and of psychologic factors on symptom scores were evaluated by stepwise multiple regression analysis. Eighty-four percent of subjects belive in an association between weather and rheumatism, while 57% claimed to have ability to forecast weather. The maximum correlation coefficient between weather and arthritis symptoms was -0.451 and the maximum contribution of weather on symptoms was 17.1%. Arthritis symptoms were significantly contributed by Beck depression score. The belief about presence of weather– arthritis association was found to be stronger than its statistical power. Our results did not prove or rule out the presence of weather–rheumatism association. As long as the scientific attempts result in failure, the intuitive support in favour of the presence of weather–arthritis association will go on forever.
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between the weather and rheumatic symptoms. We aimed
to investigate what kind of association is present and what
are the factors which determine the nature of this association.
Fifty-six subjects with rheumatic disease (31 RA, 15
SpA, 10 OA) who live in Antalya were followed between
December 2005 and July 2006. Patients were asked to fill
diaries which contain questions regarding the symptoms of
their rheumatic diseases everyday. In every monthly visit,
disease activity measurement, laboratory assessment and
Beck depression inventory assessment were recorded. The
symptomatic and psychological measurements were matched
with the meteorological data of Antalya Regional
Directorate of Meteorological Service of Turkish State.
Correlation of symptoms with weather variables was
investigated. Contributory effect of weather and of psychologic
factors on symptom scores were evaluated by
stepwise multiple regression analysis. Eighty-four percent
of subjects belive in an association between weather and
rheumatism, while 57% claimed to have ability to forecast
weather. The maximum correlation coefficient between
weather and arthritis symptoms was -0.451 and the maximum
contribution of weather on symptoms was 17.1%.
Arthritis symptoms were significantly contributed by Beck
depression score. The belief about presence of weather–
arthritis association was found to be stronger than its statistical
power. Our results did not prove or rule out the
presence of weather–rheumatism association. As long as
the scientific attempts result in failure, the intuitive support
in favour of the presence of weather–arthritis association
will go on forever.
between the weather and rheumatic symptoms. We aimed
to investigate what kind of association is present and what
are the factors which determine the nature of this association.
Fifty-six subjects with rheumatic disease (31 RA, 15
SpA, 10 OA) who live in Antalya were followed between
December 2005 and July 2006. Patients were asked to fill
diaries which contain questions regarding the symptoms of
their rheumatic diseases everyday. In every monthly visit,
disease activity measurement, laboratory assessment and
Beck depression inventory assessment were recorded. The
symptomatic and psychological measurements were matched
with the meteorological data of Antalya Regional
Directorate of Meteorological Service of Turkish State.
Correlation of symptoms with weather variables was
investigated. Contributory effect of weather and of psychologic
factors on symptom scores were evaluated by
stepwise multiple regression analysis. Eighty-four percent
of subjects belive in an association between weather and
rheumatism, while 57% claimed to have ability to forecast
weather. The maximum correlation coefficient between
weather and arthritis symptoms was -0.451 and the maximum
contribution of weather on symptoms was 17.1%.
Arthritis symptoms were significantly contributed by Beck
depression score. The belief about presence of weather–
arthritis association was found to be stronger than its statistical
power. Our results did not prove or rule out the
presence of weather–rheumatism association. As long as
the scientific attempts result in failure, the intuitive support
in favour of the presence of weather–arthritis association
will go on forever.