J Rheumatol
-
To examine the nature of seasonal symptoms, their prevalence, and differences among rheumatic disorders by examining longitudinal data over a period of up to 24 years. ⋯ Seasonal rheumatic symptoms are commonly reported across all rheumatic diseases, but appear to reflect perception rather than reality since reported symptoms do not agree with measured clinical scores. In addition, regardless of seasonal complaints, measured pain and global severity scores are not worse in winter. Although patients with FM and Season (+) patients report more severe symptoms, their pattern of reporting and their actual scores do not differ according to season compared to persons without FM or positive seasonality.