Trends in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and HIV-Associated NHL deaths in the United States

Since a significant number of lymphomas have been associated with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the purpose of this study was to describe th e impact of HIV infection on non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) mortality trends and demographics. Multiple-cause-of-death data for the United States from 1 979 through 1996 were obtained from the National Center for Health Statisti cs, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Annual NHL deaths rates for the United States were calculated as the number of NHL deaths per 100,000 persons, based on estimates of the U.S. resident population. The time perio ds 1979-1982, 1986-1989, and 1993-1996 were examined for changes over time, To describe NHL and HIV infection mortality, the characteristics of NHL de aths with HIV infection listed anywhere on the death records were examined beginning in 1987, This study found that despite reports of a lower inciden ce rate of NHL among blacks with HIV/AIDS, death rates from lymphomas assoc iated with HIV/AIDS have markedly increased in black males and females over time. It was also noted that in agreement with other studies, this study d ocumented a decrease in NHL/HIV mortality in 1996, Am. J, Hematol, 66:159-1 66, 2001, Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.dagger.