Weather and Air Pollution Effects on Chronic Pain and Fatigue in Women with ME/CFS
Author Information
Author(s): Chloe Lisette Jones, Olivia Haskin, Jarred Wayne Younger, Megan L. Benka-Coker
Primary Institution: The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Hypothesis
Days with worse air quality will be associated with worse symptom severity in women with ME/CFS.
Conclusion
The study found that air quality and weather can have small effects on symptom severity in women with ME/CFS.
Supporting Evidence
- Daily pain was significantly related to worse air quality and lower wind speeds.
- Greater fatigue was associated with higher levels of particulate matter and lower barometric pressure.
- The study used an intensive longitudinal design to collect daily symptom reports.
Takeaway
This study looked at how weather and air pollution affect pain and tiredness in women with a condition called ME/CFS, finding that bad air can make them feel worse.
Methodology
Participants provided daily pain and fatigue ratings for an average of 61 days, while weather and air quality data were collected from local agencies.
Potential Biases
Participants were blind to the study aims, reducing potential bias.
Limitations
The study's findings may not be generalizable beyond the Birmingham, AL area and only included female participants.
Participant Demographics
Participants were predominantly white, non-Hispanic, married, and had an average age of 43.14 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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