PM2.5 pollution poses new challenge for arthritis patients in Northern India
Evidence shows prolonged exposure to PM2.5 may raise arthritis risk by up to 18 per cent;
specialists warn that cold weather and toxic air together are intensifying symptoms.
Team L&M
As the national capital enters its harsh winter phase with plunging temperatures and thickening smog, physicians are sounding the alarm on a dual threat to joint health. Over the past two months, consultations for joint pain among patients with chronic arthritis have risen, although specific data quantifying the overall increase in joint cases across Delhi remains unavailable. A 2025 study published in the European Medical Journal found that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) increases the risk of developing arthritis by 12–18%, reinforcing concerns that poor air quality and cold weather together can significantly worsen joint pain and inflammation, according to orthopaedic specialists across the Delhi–NCR region.
In many cases, the winter chill causes muscles around joints to tighten, blood flow to slow, and the tissues around the joint to contract. These factors are enough to worsen stiffness in patients and increase pain in patients with Osteoarthritis (OA) or Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). At the same time, research shows that air pollution may be playing a key role in aggravating these conditions. For example, one large cohort study found that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was significantly associated with a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Another study found that RA patients exposed to higher pollutant concentrations had a greater risk of elevated CRP (a marker of inflammation) and flare-ups.
Reduced Blood Supply
“Over the past several weeks, we’ve seen more arthritis issues, especially with older people and those who already have joint problems. Cold temperatures reduce blood supply around the joints, making them stiffer, while inhaled pollutants stimulate inflammatory pathways that can worsen pain and swelling,” says Dr Arvind Mehra, Senior Director & head of Orthopaedics & Trauma at Paras Health Gururgram. “For patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, this combination of cold and toxic air acts almost like a biological stress test on the body. We advise patients to keep themselves warm, handle flare-ups quickly, do light indoor workouts to keep joints moving, and see a doctor when needed. Timely intervention and consistent management are critical to prevent long-term deterioration,” he adds,
Dr. Simon Thomas, Director and Head, Robotic Joint Replacement & Reconstruction, Max Healthcare points out that environmental factors really impact joint health. “Tiny air particles such as PM2.5 don’t just affect our lungs; they also get into our blood stream, which can cause body-wide swelling and speed up joint problems. We’ve seen over time that people living in heavily-polluted areas tend to heal more slowly after joint surgery and have their joint pain return more often,” he says.
So, dealing with arthritis in places like northern India means taking care of both medical issues and environmental dangers. Doctors note that managing arthritis during Delhi’s winter now requires an integrated approach that combines medical care with environmental awareness. Beyond symptom control, physicians are urging patients to plan their routines around daily air quality levels, stay physically active indoors, and consult specialists promptly if stiffness or swelling intensifies. This winter in Delhi-NCR brings an important point: our health is closely tied to the air we breathe and the world around us. Keeping mobile now means dealing with pollution just as much as getting medical help.
