Allergies, asthma, and sleep problems in adults who stutter

Area of Science:

• Speech and Hearing Science
• Public Health
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Previous research indicates a correlation between stuttering and conditions like allergies, asthma, and sleep disturbances.
• This study investigates these associations in a broader adult population who stutter.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the prevalence of allergies, asthma, and sleep problems in adults who stutter (AWS).
• To compare these health outcomes between AWS and a control group.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey.
• Inclusion of adults aged 18 and older, categorized as either stuttering or controls.
• Data collected on allergies, asthma, acid reflux, sleep disturbances (insomnia, oversleeping, excessive sleepiness, fatigue), and sleep duration.

Main Results:

• Adults who stutter (AWS) showed significantly higher odds of respiratory, food, and skin allergies, asthma, and acid reflux compared to controls.
• AWS also exhibited greater odds of insomnia, oversleeping, excessive sleepiness, and fatigue.
• Even AWS without allergies, asthma, or acid reflux reported more sleep disturbances, including insomnia and excessive sleepiness.

Conclusions:

• Findings for younger and middle-aged adults who stutter align with previous studies on children and adolescents.
• Age-related differences in health outcomes suggest potential environmental influences on these conditions in adults who stutter.