Associations of Frequency of Laughter With Risk of All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Disease Incidence in a General Population: Findings From the Yamagata Study
-
- Sakurada Kaori
- Department of Fundamental Nursing, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine School of Nursing
-
- Konta Tsuneo
- Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Yamagata University Graduate School of Medical Science
-
- Watanabe Masafumi
- Global Center of Excellence Program Study Group, Yamagata University School of Medicine
-
- Ishizawa Kenichi
- Global Center of Excellence Program Study Group, Yamagata University School of Medicine
-
- Ueno Yoshiyuki
- Global Center of Excellence Program Study Group, Yamagata University School of Medicine
-
- Yamashita Hidetoshi
- Global Center of Excellence Program Study Group, Yamagata University School of Medicine
-
- Kayama Takamasa
- Global Center of Excellence Program Study Group, Yamagata University School of Medicine
Search this article
Abstract
<p>Background: Positive and negative psychological factors are associated with mortality and cardiovascular disease. This study prospectively investigated associations of daily frequency of laughter with mortality and cardiovascular disease in a community-based population.</p><p>Methods: This study included 17,152 subjects ≥40 years old who participated in an annual health check in Yamagata Prefecture. Self-reported daily frequency of laughter was grouped into three categories (≥1/week; ≥1/month but <1/week; <1/month). Associations of daily frequency of laughter with increase in all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease incidence were determined using Cox proportional hazards modeling.</p><p>Results: During follow-up (median, 5.4 years), 257 subjects died and 138 subjects experienced cardiovascular events. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease incidence were significantly higher among subjects with a low frequency of laughter (log-rank P < 0.01). Cox proportional hazard model analysis adjusted for age, gender, hypertension, smoking, and alcohol drinking status showed that risk of all-cause mortality was significantly higher in subjects who laughed <1/month than in subjects who laughed ≥1/week (hazard ratio [HR] 1.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–3.09). Similarly, risk of cardiovascular events was higher in subjects who laughed ≥1/month but <1/week than in subjects who laughed ≥1/week (HR 1.62; 95% CI, 1.07–2.40).</p><p>Conclusion: Daily frequency of laughter represents an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease in a Japanese general population.</p>
Journal
-
- Journal of Epidemiology
-
Journal of Epidemiology 30 (4), 188-193, 2020-04-05
Japan Epidemiological Association