Physical activity and the risk of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes: A pooled analysis

Abstract

Non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is composed of a heterogeneous collection of subtypes with considerable differences in genetics, biology and aetiology. Studies to date on physical activity and NHL risk have not had sufficient sample size to evaluate whether associations differ by subtype. We pooled data from nine case‐control studies to examine the association between moderate‐to‐vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) and risk of NHL overall and by subtype (diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma and mature T‐cell lymphoma). A total of 5653 cases and 9115 controls were included in the pooled analysis. Physical activity was harmonised across nine studies and modelled as study‐specific tertiles. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the association between physical activity and NHL, adjusting for confounders. The overall odds of NHL was 13% lower among participants in the most active tertile of MVPA compared to the least active tertile (adjusted odds ratio = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.80, 0.95). Similar decreases were observed across NHL subtypes. In summary, in this pooled analysis of case‐control studies, physical activity was associated with a modest risk reduction for each NHL subtype examined and with overall NHL.

Hysterectomy, oophorectomy and risk of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma

“…6 Few prior studies have evaluated NHL-subtype-specific risk factors. [6][7][8] NHL incidence is significantly higher in males than in females worldwide; however, the mechanisms underlying the sex difference are not yet understood. One possible mechanism may be related to the effects of estrogens on lymphoma cell proliferation or on the host immune response.…”

“…The incidence of NHL subtypes varies by age, sex, race/ethnicity and geographic region 6 . Few prior studies have evaluated NHL‐subtype‐specific risk factors 6–8 …”