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.