The influence of Chinook winds and other weather patterns upon neuropathic pain.

Objective: Although Chinook winds are often viewed positively during a cold prairie winter, patients suffering with neuropathic pain (NeP) anecdotally report exacerbations of NeP during Chinooks and during other weather changes. Our objective was to identify if Chinook winds lead to acute exacerbations in pain severity in a NeP patient population.

Design: Prospective diary-based assessments of patients with at least moderate NeP over 6-month periods during different seasons of the year were performed. Concurrent weather conditions were tracked hourly, with Chinook winds defined using accepted meteorological definition. We also examined other aspects of weather including precipitation, temperature, and humidity. Days with acute exacerbations were defined when a daily visual analog score pain score was ≥2 points above their average NeP score over the entire 6-month period.

Results: Chinooks were not associated with individual acute exacerbations in NeP. Instead, Chinook days were found to be protective against acute exacerbations in NeP (odds ratio 0.52 [0.33-0.71]). Post hoc study associated Chinooks with NeP relief (odds ratio 1.83 [1.17-2.49]). We could not identify relationship between precipitation or humidity with acute NeP exacerbation. However, days with cold temperature ≤ -14°C were associated with greater risk of NeP exacerbation.

Conclusion: Weather-mediated changes occur for patients with NeP, manifesting as relief from Chinook winds while cold temperature conditions can provoke exacerbations in NeP.