There have been studies that compared how people with arthritis describe their symptoms with weather patterns during the same period of time, but the results of these studies have been mixed. Overall, though, reports of pain seem to go up at least a little in colder and more humid times of the year. Researchers in the department of psychology at the State University of New York in Stonybrook followed 75 rheumatoid arthritis patients for 75 days, comparing their descriptions of symptoms with weather data. People who insist their joints ache more when it's cold are feeling worse. But this could have a lot to do with their general emotional state.
Many people fall into the doldrums in the winter months.
During these times, everything has a way of feeling worse, including medical conditions. When you're cold and grumpy about a lot of things you might notice pains in your knees, ankles, and hips more.'' In severe cold weather, the body may circulate less blood to the hands and feet as a way of conserving warm blood cells near the heart. The can make the joints stiffen, Klippel says. Also, people often exercise less in the winter, which could make stiff and painful joints feel worse. If it boosts their moods and clears the winter blues, it could make them less prone to pain.