BLOOD-TRANSFUSION AS A RISK FACTOR FOR NON-HODGKIN-LYMPHOMA

In a case-control study of 280 out of 426 consecutive patients with a recent diagnosis of non Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and 1827 control subjec ts, 53 (19%) and 230 (13%) respectively had received blood transfusion s 1 year or more before the interview. Using an age- and sex-stratifie d analysis the odds ratio (OR) for transfusion was 1.74 (95% CI 1.24-2 .44). ORs were also determined for transfusions received in the interv als 1-5, 6-15, 16-25 and greater than or equal to 26 years before diag nosis. In the interval 6-15 years, the OR for transfusion was 2.83 (95 % CI 1.60-4.99) whereas ORs for transfusions received in other interva ls were lower and not significantly elevated. Histological diagnoses ( Kiel classification) and results of staging procedures were known for 185 patients. For low-grade NHL of nodal B-cell chronic lymphocytic le ukaemia (B-CLL) or immunocytoma type, the OR for transfusions was 4.15 (95% CI 1.92-9.01). For low-grade nodal lymphomas of follicle centre cell type and high-grade nodal lymphomas, no relation to transfusions could be demonstrated. For high-grade extranodal lymphoma as sole mani festation, OR for transfusions was 3.27 (95% CI 1.30-8.24). It is conc luded that blood transfusion may be a risk factor for NHLs especially those of B-CLL or immunocytoma type and for high-grade extranodal lymp homa.