Meta-analysis of Hodgkin's disease among farmers

Objectives This study examined the association between Hodgkin's disease an d fanning. Methods A series of meta-analyses of peer-reviewed studies was performed, u sing 30 studies published between 1981 and 1998. Prior to the meta-analyses , all the studies were reviewed and evaluated for heterogeneity and publica tion bias. Combined relative risks (RR) were calculated using the random ef fect model. Results The combined RR was 1.25 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.11-1.4 2] for all the studies, and 1.08 (95% CI 0.91-1.29) for the studies involvi ng female farmers. Significant heterogeneity among the studies was detected , and a stratified analysis was carried out by study design, country of stu dy, and time of publication. Significantly elevated RR values were obtained for the case-referent studies (odds ratio 1.53, 95% CI 1.18-1.98) and prop ortionate mortality studies (PMR)(PMR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02-1.36). A decrease i n risk was eminent in the more recent studies. Conclusions The findings suggest that male farmers have a slightly elevated risk of developing Hodgkin's disease. No specific etiologic exposure was i dentified, but exposures commonly experienced by farmers (infectious microo rganisms, herbicides and insecticides) may contribute to the occurrence of the disease.