RISK-FACTORS FOR NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMAS IN ACQUIRED-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-SYNDROME (AIDS)

The possibility that an agent in addition to the human immunodeficienc y virus (HIV) may contribute to the etiology of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was studied using participants from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) of h omosexual and bisexual men enrolled in 1984-1985 and also in 1987-1991 . A nested case-control analysis was conducted. The primary source of information on potential exposures and characteristics of the particip ants was the baseline study entry interview that was conducted prior t o the development of AIDS. A total of 84 cases of non-Hodgkin's lympho ma were identified and compared with 527 participants who developed AI DS but had no evidence of cancer, The groups were similar for most soc iodemographic characteristics as well as sexual activity and past hist ory of antecedent illnesses, Although the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cases reported less frequent use of recreational drugs and cigarettes compa red with other person's with AIDS, these differences were not signific ant. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cases reported more frequent intake of asp irin during the week before the interview. However, there were no diff erences between the comparison groups for long-term aspirin intake or intake of other analgesics. The absence of any specific and strong ass ociation between non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and the various behavior-relat ed activities and exposures considered in this analysis suggests that these factors are not related to a second agent in the etiology of HIV -induced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The possibility that a very common ag ent in this study population or that differences in the nature of the immune dysfunction resulting from HIV infection could act as a cofacto r for HIV-induced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cannot be excluded. Am J Epid emiol 1996;143:374-9.