Antonella Puppo

Risk of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Residential Exposure to Air Pollution in an Industrial Area in Northern Italy: A Case-Control Study

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) in an adult population residing in an area in northern Italy exposed to industrial air pollution from a big power plant, a coke oven, 2 chemical factories, and some minor plants. The design was a population-based case-control study and information about residential history and the main risk factors for NHL was obtained interviewing 133 cases and 279 controls using a structured questionnaire. Three exposure categories (heavy, moderate, and slight) were defined on the basis of the location of the major facilities with respect to the subject residence. NHL risk was not associated either with location or duration of residence in the heavily polluted area. However, the unavoidable limitations of this study prevent us from drawing definitive conclusions.

Lifestyle factors and risk of leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a case-control study.

AbstractPurposeRisk factors for leukemia and lymphomas in adults are largely unknown. This study was aimed at evaluating the association between lifestyle factors and the risk of hematological malignancies in an adult population.nMethodsData were drawn from a population-based case–control study carried out in Italy and included 294 cases (199 lymphoid and 95 myeloid) and 279 controls. Analyses were performed using standard multivariable logistic regression.ResultsHair dye use for at least 15xa0years was associated with a higher risk of lymphoid malignancies among females (OR 2.3, 95xa0% CI 1.0–4.9, pxa0=xa00.036, test for trend). Furthermore, a protective effect of a moderate to heavy tea consumption on the risk of myeloid malignancies was observed (OR 0.4, 95xa0% CI 0.2–0.9, pxa0=xa00.017). No association was found for the use of alcoholic beverages and tobacco smoking.ConclusionsOur results confirm the potential carcinogenic effect of prolonged hair dye use observed in previous investigations. The excess risk could be explained by exposure to a higher concentration of toxic compounds in hair products used in the past. The protective effect of regular tea consumption observed in an area with a very high prevalence of black tea consumers deserves further investigation.

Infectious diseases and risk of leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A case-control study

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the association between common infectious diseases and the risk of hematological malignancies in an adult population. Data were drawn from a population based case-control study that included 165 cases (125 lymphoid and 40 myeloid neoplasms) and 233 controls. Occurrence of childhood diseases (measles, rubella, chickenpox, mumps, pertussis and scarlet fever) was slightly inversely associated with the risk of both malignancies, but statistical significance was not reached. The data of infections occurring after 14 years of age indicated an increasing risk of lymphoid malignancies (OR=2.9, p<0.05).

Risk of leukaemia and residential exposure to air pollution in an industrial area in Northern Italy: a case-control study

Leukaemia risk in adult populations exposed to environmental air pollution is poorly investigated. We have carried out a population-based case-control study in an area that included a fossil fuel power plant, a coke oven and two big chemical industries. Information on residential history and several risk factors for leukaemia was obtained from 164 cases, diagnosed between 2002 and 2005, and 279 controls. A higher risk for subjects residing in polluted areas was observed, but statistical significance was not reached (adjusted OR = 1.11 and 1.56 for subjects living in moderately and in heavily polluted zones, respectively, p = 0.190). Results suggest a possible aetiological role of residential air pollution from industrial sites on the risk of developing leukaemia in adult populations. However, the proportion of eligible subjects excluded from the study and the lack of any measure of air pollution prevent definitive conclusions from being drawn.

Chronic diseases, medical history and familial cancer, and risk of leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in an adult population: a case–control study

PurposeThis investigation was aimed at evaluating the association between chronic diseases, medical history and familial cancer, and the risk of developing hematological malignancies.MethodsData were drawn from a population-based case–control study carried out to assess the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and leukemia in an adult population exposed to environmental air pollution in Northern Italy. Each case was classified according to the WHO ICD-O-3 classification. Statistical analyses were performed by multivariable unconditional logistic regression in 573 interviewed subjects (199 lymphoid cases, 95 myeloid cases, and 279 healthy controls).ResultsLymphoid malignancies were associated with a history of gastroduodenal ulcer (OR 2.1, 95xa0% CI 1.2–3.6), rheumatoid arthritis (OR 4.4, 95xa0% CI 1.3–19.0), anemia (OR 3.3, 95xa0% CI 1.2–9.3), cholecystectomy (OR 2.9, 95xa0% CI 1.0–8.0), heavy diagnostic X-ray exposure (OR 2.1, 95xa0% CI 1.3–3.7), and a familial risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (OR 10.1, 95xa0% CI 1.3–458). Myeloid malignancies were associated with non-neoplastic thyroid diseases (OR 6.2, 95xa0% CI 1.7–35.6) and anemia (OR 6.8, 95xa0% CI 2.0–23.1). Subgroup analysis highlighted an excess risk of MALT in patients with gastroduodenal ulcer (OR 5.3, 95xa0% CI 1.04–23.7) and of AML in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (OR 6.9, 95xa0% CI 1.2–38.1), and of MDS in subjects exposed to heavy diagnostic X-ray (OR 3.4, 95xa0% CI 1.03–11.2) when the analysis was restricted to irradiation of pelvis, abdomen, or thorax.ConclusionsMost observed associations confirm results from previous studies. The higher risk of lymphoid malignancies among patients with a history of cholecystectomy needs further investigations.