Left‐handers have a lower prevalence of arthritis and ulcer

Abstract

In a very large study (N = 1,247,344), left‐handedness showed no association with allergies overall (and an inconsistent association with individual allergies), but there was strong evidence that left‐handers had lower rates of arthritis and ulcer—Arthritis: Odds‐ratio (OR) = 0.942, 95% CI 0.922–0.962; Ulcer: OR = 0.920, 95% CI 0.896–0.944.

Notes

Address correspondence to I. C. McManus, Department of Psychology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. Email: [email protected]

We are grateful to Dr Avery Gilbert for his helpful comments on a draft manuscript, and for his contribution to the original study.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

I. C. McManus

Address correspondence to I. C. McManus, Department of Psychology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. Email: [email protected] We are grateful to Dr Avery Gilbert for his helpful comments on a draft manuscript, and for his contribution to the original study.