Risk Factors for Epstein-Barr Virus in Childhood Hodgkin's Disease
Author Information
Author(s): Flavell K J, Biddulph J P, Powell J E, Parkes S E, Redfern D, Weinreb M, Nelson P, Mann J R, Young L S, Murray P G
Primary Institution: School of Health Sciences, University of Wolverhampton
Hypothesis
Does material deprivation and ethnic origin affect the frequency of Epstein-Barr virus positivity in childhood Hodgkin's disease?
Conclusion
The study found that South Asian ethnicity and material deprivation significantly increase the risk of Epstein-Barr virus positivity in childhood Hodgkin's disease.
Supporting Evidence
- 62% of cases were Epstein-Barr virus-positive.
- South Asians had a more than 20-fold risk of being Epstein-Barr virus-positive compared to non-South Asians.
- The risk of Epstein-Barr virus-positivity was 7-times higher in the most deprived quartile compared to the least deprived group.
- Cases with 2 or more siblings were 5-times as likely to be Epstein-Barr virus-positive.
Takeaway
Kids from South Asian backgrounds and those living in poorer conditions are more likely to have a virus linked to a type of cancer called Hodgkin's disease.
Methodology
The study analyzed Epstein-Barr virus status in 55 cases of childhood Hodgkin's disease using immunohistochemistry and assessed the impact of material deprivation and ethnicity.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the study's focus on a specific ethnic group and socioeconomic status.
Limitations
The study is limited to a specific multi-ethnic region in the UK and may not be generalizable to other populations.
Participant Demographics
Participants were children diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, with a focus on South Asian ethnicity.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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