抄録
The general term for complaints that develop due to the effects of weather elements such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure is meteoropathy. Limited studies have examined the actual status of meteoropathy in Japan, with most evaluating weather pains. Herein, we conducted a pilot survey that can help develop a large-scale questionnaire survey in the future that will elucidate the actual status of meteoropathy.
Overall, 175 students from the Department of Human Nutrition, Chugoku Gakuen University were asked to complete an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. The results revealed that approximately 90% participants experienced a decline in their physical condition and mood because of weather changes. Headache was most frequently reported; however, approximately 20% of participants did not select any pain-related symptoms, including headache or lower back, joint, or abdominal pain. The most common frequency of symptoms selected was “less than once a week” by approximately 40% of the participants. In terms of symptom severity, the most frequently reported answer was “tolerable,” accounting for approximately 70% of the participants. In terms of the timing of symptom onset, 80% participants responded “during rain,” while approximately 10% of the students selected “when the weather starts to improve.” The proportion of students who took preventive measures against meteoropathy or received treatment for meteoropathy was approximately 10%.
These results reveal that some individuals experience meteoropathy without pain-related symptoms. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to confirm that some patients with meteoropathy experienced symptoms when the weather started to improve. To conclude, we believe that this questionnaire contributes to the understanding of the actual status of meteoropathy. Furthermore, it was thought that understanding the actual situation of meteorological diseases would help community pharmacists encourage patients who come to their offices suffering from meteorological diseases to see a doctor.
