Obesity and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (United States)

Brian C.H. Chiu*, Lori Soni, Susan M. Gapstur, Angela J. Fought, Andrew M. Evens, Dennis D. Weisenburger

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Few studies have explored the potential association between body mass index (BMI) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) according to histologic subtypes, or have evaluated BMI at different periods in the subject's life, and the results of these studies have been inconsistent. Subjects: A population-based, case-control study of 387 patients with NHL and 535 controls conducted in Nebraska between 1999 and 2002. Methods: Information on usual adult weight, weight at the ages 20-29, 40-49, and 60-69 years, height, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors was collected by telephone interview. A self-administered semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary intake. Risk was estimated by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for age, total energy intake, physical activity, and other confounding factors. Results: Higher adult BMI was associated with risk of NHL (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 0.9-2.0) comparing the obese group (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) with the normal weight group (BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m2). The risk was higher for those who were class 2 obese (BMI ≥ 35.0 kg/m2, OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.0-2.9). The positive association was similar among men and women. An excess risk of NHL was associated with high BMI at ages 40-49 years (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.0-2.5), and to a lesser extent, at ages 20-29 years (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 0.8-2.5). Obesity at ages 40-49 years was also associated with a higher risk of small lymphocytic lymphoma (OR = 4.5; 95% CI = 1.5-13.3), diffuse large B-cell NHL (OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 0.9-3.9) and follicular NHL (OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 0.9-3.5). Conclusion: Obesity is associated with risk of NHL overall. Obesity at ages 40-49 years is also associated with a higher risk of NHL overall, and particularly small lymphocytic, follicular, and diffuse large B-cell NHL.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)677-685
Number of pages9
JournalCancer Causes and Control
Volume18
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2007

Funding

Acknowledgments This research was supported by research grant 99B083 from the American Institute for Cancer Research. The authors thank Mr. Martin Bast of the Nebraska Lymphoma Registry and Tissue Bank for coordinating the patient identification and physician consent.

Keywords

  • Body mass index
  • Lymphoma
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Obesity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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