Association between climate conditions and osteoarthritis: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, causing by multiple factors. It has long been a belief that arthritis pain is influenced by the weather. However, scientific studies have documented inconsistent results. To date, neither systematic review nor meta-analysis of existing findings has comprehensively considered their relations. The present study will critically appraise and synthesize the existing evidence from observational studies that examined the relationship between certain climate conditions and OA. Methods and design: This protocol will be conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. There are no restrictions on the study date or publication status for searches in the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, and other relative databases. All eligible observational studies will be included, with weather conditions as effect factors and OA symptom or imaging abnormality as outcomes. Two reviewers will be responsible for data extraction and analysis. Risk of bias and quality appraisal will be performed for the included studies using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Meta-analysis will be conducted using Rev Man V.5.3 with the associations between weather conditions and OA presented by odds ratios (ORs), relative risks (RRs), hazard ratios (HRs) and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results This systematic review and meta-analysis will present the overall association between weather conditions and OA. The association of climate factors influencing OA incidence or progression would be further illustrated in subgroup analysis depending on whether that has been extensively described in the literature. Discussion This study will provide the analysis evidence on the effect of meteorological factors on OA. In an approach of dealing with weather conditions, the results will benefit the daily management of OA.