Relation Between RA Morbidity And Meteorological Factors In Beijing Area

In Chinese medicine, the Theory of Human-Environment Inter Relation is a very important theory. Human being lives in nature, and is a major component of nature. Nature is whole and unified, and the environment there is external on which human beings rely for existing. At the same time, human being is the Nature outcome and their ingredient, surely is subject to the laws of nature with restraint. Nature's changes can be directly or indirectly affect the human body, the body accordingly appears some reactions, not only physiological, but also pathological. The Theory of Human-Environment Inter Relation plays an important role in guiding the development of traditional Chinese medical science.From 1930s, people gradually expanded the meteorological elements and the relationship between climate change and disease research, and the formation of such a meteorological medicine comprehensive interdisciplinary. Modern research shows that the developments of many diseases are closely related to meteorological factors. The aim of meteorological medical research is to protect people from the impact of adverse weather conditions and to take advantage of favorable weather conditions to prevent and cure diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease, which is commonly considered caused by genetic and environmental factors. According to statistics, about 90% of RA patients were sensitive to climate change. Modern research also shows that changes in meteorological factors are closely linked with RA. This study investigated the relationship between RA and environment, and provided the basis to prevent and cure RA.Part one:Relation between meteorological factors and RA morbidity in Beijing areaObjective:To analyze the effects of seasonal climatic factors on the aggravation of RA inpatients in Beijing area, and find out the relationship between them, then reveal the scientific content of the Theory of Human-Environment Inter Relation.Method:We have studied 223 RA inpatients came from Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences during 2000-2008. The meteorological data in Beijing area during these years were obtained from Meteorological Information Center of the China Meteorological Administration. The relationship between RA morbidity and season alternation, or average barometric pressure, or average air temperature, or highest temperature, or lowest temperature, or relative humidity, or minimal relative humidity, or wind speed, or precipitation was investigated.Result:1. From 2000 and 2009, there were 223 RA inpatients in Xiyuan Hospital, including 52 male, and 171 female. The mean age of these patients was 50.78, and the average duration was 54.78 months. Most of the RA (66.37%) occurred between 30 to 59 years old.2. Difference between four seasons We analyzed the numbers of RA inpatients in 2000-2008, and found that there was no difference between four seasons.3. Difference between the "six seasons" We analyzed the numbers of RA inpatients in 2000-2008, then found that the numbers were different between the "six seasons" (P<0.05). Its peak was appeared in "warm season", and the valley was appeared in "dry season". The difference was significant (P<0.05).4. The correlation between meteorological factors and the number of RA inpatients We found RA occurred with precipitation, daily average temperature, average wind speed, and the average temperature and precipitation with the incidence of positive correlation, the average wind speed and incidence of negative correlation. A multiple linear regression equation found that precipitation (p <0.05) and average wind speed (p<0.05) impact on RA hospital admissions. Conclusion:The number of RA patients admitted to hospital by "six seasons" the trend of the distribution, the number of RA patients in "warm season" is the most, and the number in "dry season" is the fewest, there are differences between the two. Increase of the number of RA patients may be related to precipitation, daily average temperature or average wind speed. These prompt us when we are taking precautions against the RA morbidity; we should focus on temperature and season, and according to precipitation, daily average temperature, average wind speed and other meteorological elements to prevent from disease. In additional, we should use different treatment options or methods in different seasons. In short, seasonal changes in turnover and meteorological factors are closely related with RA morbidity, and this is consistent with the Theory of Human-Environment Inter Relation of TCM.Part two:Influence of weather on joint symptoms of RA patientsObjective:To assess the influence of weather change on joint symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis patients.Method:39 RA outpatients who came from Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences were recruited in this study. Each Patient was asked about joint symptoms every week and related data was recorded.Result:The majority of all RA patients (76.92%) believed that changes in weather affected their pain, and 60.00% of the patients reported that their pain were serious before weather changed. Rainy or snow, cold and windy conditions were considered to influence pain the most. Many patients believed that changes in weather had affected the joints most. When weather changed, the knee joints were quite commonly affected, and followed by the finger and wrist joints. RA patients who were older (> 40 years old) were more sensitivity in joint pain to changes in weather than young RA patients. The difference was significant. And there was no significant difference between the sexes in joint pain. Changes in weather also influence their joints in swelling and stiffness, and their sleep and mood.Conclusion:The joint pain, swelling and stiffness are related to the weather changes in the patients with RA. Old RA patients were more sensitivity in joint pain to changes in weather, and there was no significant difference between the sexes. In clinical care, we should pay attention to that.