A METAANALYSIS OF NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA AMONG FARMERS IN THE CENTRAL UNITED-STATES

A meta-analysis of studies examining the association between non-Hodgk in's lymphoma (NHL) and employment as a farmer in the central United S tates was performed to verify the observation by Blair et al. [1993] t hat this group is at excess risk of NHL. Six studies were selected for the meta-analysis, and the estimator of relative risk calculated was 1.34 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.17, 1.55). Exposures associated with NHL and associated with agricultural commodities frequently prod uced in the central United States are infectious microorganisms and pe sticides. Examination of the production patterns of the farms in this region did not reveal a single specific risk factor consistently found on all farms; however; past production patterns suggest that exposure to either infectious microorganisms or pesticides might be a risk fac tor for NHL in this group of farmers. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.