Season of Diagnosis and Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Author Information
Author(s): Porojnicu A C, Robsahm T E, Ree A H, Moan J
Primary Institution: Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Montebello, Oslo, Norway
Hypothesis
The endogenous level of calcidiol at the time when the conventional therapy is started is of therapeutic or prognostic significance.
Conclusion
The prognosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma is significantly correlated with the season of diagnosis, particularly for patients younger than 30 years.
Supporting Evidence
- Vitamin D derivatives are known to be potent anticarcinogenic factors.
- Epidemiological data indicate that season of diagnosis is a strong prognostic factor for Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Patients diagnosed in autumn had a 20% lower case fatality compared to those diagnosed in winter.
- The improved survival rate for younger patients diagnosed in autumn was over 60%.
Takeaway
When people are diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in autumn, they tend to do better than those diagnosed in winter, possibly because of more vitamin D from the sun.
Methodology
The study analyzed data from the Cancer Registry of Norway, using Cox regression to estimate the relative risk of death based on the season of diagnosis.
Potential Biases
Potential biases related to seasonal variations in health and lifestyle factors were not fully controlled.
Limitations
Adjustment for stage at diagnosis was only possible for patients diagnosed after 1993 due to lack of data.
Participant Demographics
Patients diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in Norway between 1964 and 2000, stratified by age groups: 0-29 years and 30+ years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.041
Confidence Interval
95% CI,−0.62 to 0.99
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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