Diet and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma risk

BACKGROUND The role of dietary factors in the epidemiology of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) remains largely undefined. Dietary habits may play a role in the etiology of NHL by influencing the immune system. METHODS Dietary patterns and the risk of NHL were analyzed in a case control study; including 170 NHL cases and 190 controls. All subjects completed a validated food-frequency questionnaire. The dietary pattern was investigated separately and in nine nutritional groups. Crosstab tables were used to estimate the odds ratios (OR), and P(trend). RESULTS Consumption of highest versus lowest quartile of proteins (OR, 8.088 P(trend)=0.000), fats (OR, 6.17 P(trend)=0.000) and sweets (OR, 8.806 P(trend)=0.000) were associated with a significantly increased NHL risk. The inverse association was found for fresh fruits (OR, 0.117 P(trend)=0.000) and vegetables (OR, 0.461 P(trend)=0.010). CONCLUSION An association between dietary intake and the risk of NHL is biologically plausible due to immunosuppressive effects of fat and animal proteins, and antioxidant properties of vegetables and fruits.