Laughter-associated asthma.
This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of laughter-induced asthma, and to study any associations with asthma-related triggers and measures of disease activity, using a questionnaire-based survey of asthma subjects in both the community and on presentation to hospital. A total of 105 subjects participated, and 44 (41.9%) reported laughter-associated asthma. Exercise and laughter were strongly associated as triggers (p < 0.006), as well as molds and grass pollen (p = 0.03). It seems to be associated with poor asthma control as well, since hospital admissions are also more frequent in this group (p = 0.043). Laughter-induced asthma is strongly associated with exercise as a trigger; the mechanism remains uncertain, but better understanding of this problem may assist in controlling difficult asthma.
Liangas
G
G
Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Yates
D H
DH
Wu
D
D
Henry
R L
RL
Thomas
P S
PS
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications; D007845:Laughter; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index