Body mass index and risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma: insights from a Norwegian cohort study
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Published version (pre-proof)
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background
Several studies have reported positive associations between higher body mass index (BMI) and risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, the evidence is not entirely consistent. We investigated the association between BMI and Hodgkin's lymphoma in a large Norwegian cohort with up to 50 years follow-up.
Methods
The analytical dataset included 1,723,692 men and women aged 16-75 years at baseline in 1963-1975. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between BMI and Hodgkin's lymphoma incidence.
Results
During 56.1 million person-years of follow-up, 1608 incident Hodgkin's lymphoma cases occurred. Compared to individuals with BMI 18.5-<25, the HRs (95% CIs) for those with a BMI of 15-<18.5, 25-<30, and ≥30 were 0.87 (0.59-1.27), 1.05 (0.94-1.18), and 1.61 (1.35-1.91), respectively, and 1.57 (1.30-1.90) and 1.80 (1.24-2.62) for obesity grade 1 and grade 2, respectively. A positive association was also observed per 5 kg/m2 increment with a HR (95% CI) of 1.16 (1.08-1.24) overall, 1.20 (1.09-1.31) in women, and 1.08 (0.96-1.20) in men. Positive associations were also observed between obesity vs. normal weight in early adulthood (age 16-29 years) and Hodgkin's lymphoma (HR, 95% CIs: 1.89, 1.10-3.22, ptrend<0.0001, n=489 cases) and between obesity and early-onset (age <50 years at diagnosis) disease (HR, 95% CIs: 1.67, 1.01-2.78, ptrend<0.0001, n=393 cases).
Conclusion
The positive associations observed between higher BMI overall and in young adulthood and Hodgkin's lymphoma and between BMI and early-onset disease emphasize the potential role of adiposity in development of this malignancy.
Several studies have reported positive associations between higher body mass index (BMI) and risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, the evidence is not entirely consistent. We investigated the association between BMI and Hodgkin's lymphoma in a large Norwegian cohort with up to 50 years follow-up.
Methods
The analytical dataset included 1,723,692 men and women aged 16-75 years at baseline in 1963-1975. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between BMI and Hodgkin's lymphoma incidence.
Results
During 56.1 million person-years of follow-up, 1608 incident Hodgkin's lymphoma cases occurred. Compared to individuals with BMI 18.5-<25, the HRs (95% CIs) for those with a BMI of 15-<18.5, 25-<30, and ≥30 were 0.87 (0.59-1.27), 1.05 (0.94-1.18), and 1.61 (1.35-1.91), respectively, and 1.57 (1.30-1.90) and 1.80 (1.24-2.62) for obesity grade 1 and grade 2, respectively. A positive association was also observed per 5 kg/m2 increment with a HR (95% CI) of 1.16 (1.08-1.24) overall, 1.20 (1.09-1.31) in women, and 1.08 (0.96-1.20) in men. Positive associations were also observed between obesity vs. normal weight in early adulthood (age 16-29 years) and Hodgkin's lymphoma (HR, 95% CIs: 1.89, 1.10-3.22, ptrend<0.0001, n=489 cases) and between obesity and early-onset (age <50 years at diagnosis) disease (HR, 95% CIs: 1.67, 1.01-2.78, ptrend<0.0001, n=393 cases).
Conclusion
The positive associations observed between higher BMI overall and in young adulthood and Hodgkin's lymphoma and between BMI and early-onset disease emphasize the potential role of adiposity in development of this malignancy.
Date Issued
2025-04-02
Date Acceptance
2025-03-31
Citation
European Journal of Cancer, 2025
ISSN
0959-8049
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
European Journal of Cancer
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.
License URL
Identifier
10.1016/j.ejca.2025.115400
Subjects
Body mass index
obesity
Hodgkin's lymphoma
cohort
Publication Status
Published online
Article Number
115400
Date Publish Online
2025-04-02