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Published on: February 24, 2011
Physical activity and risk of lymphoma: a meta-analysis
Nele V H Vermaete1, Pascal Wolter, Gregor E G Verhoef
1Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Background:
Physical activity has a protective effect on some types of cancer. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to explore the literature on the association between physical activity and risk of lymphoma.
Methods:
A meta-analysis was conducted for cohort and case-control studies examining the association between self-reported physical activity and risk of lymphoma. Depending on statistical heterogeneity, a random or fixed effects model was used to estimate the summary OR and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results:
Seven case-control studies and 5 cohort studies were included. When data from both study designs were combined, no significant influence of physical activity on risk of lymphoma was found (pooled OR = 0.90; 95% CI: 0.79-1.02; P = 0.10). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant protective influence of physical activity on risk of lymphoma in case-control studies (pooled OR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.68-0.96; P = 0.02). In contrast, cohort studies, which have a higher level of evidence than case-control studies, confirm the results of the primary meta-analysis (pooled OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.88-1.19; P = 0.76). A subsequent subgroup analysis found no significant differences between results for Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (χ(2) = 0.16; P = 0.69), nor between results for recreational and occupational activities (χ(2) = 1.01; P = 0.31).
Conclusions:
Epidemiologic research indicates no significant influence of physical activity on risk of lymphoma.
Impact:
Future research should examine the association between sedentary behavior and risk of lymphoma and investigate the dose-response and timing effect of physical activity on risk of lymphoma.
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