Assosiation of Sociodemographic Determinants with Lymphoma, A Tertiary Care Hospital Study

Abstract

Objective: To determine frequency of socio-demographic determinants of lymphoma and to see association of sociodemographic factors with lymphoma type among patients presenting at a tertiary care hospital of Karachi, Pakistan.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Oncology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical College Karachi Pakistan, from May 2019 to Mar 2020.

Methodology: About 196 patients with the confirmed diagnosis of lymphoma of age more than 15 years of either gender were included in the study. Complete medical records and history were also evaluated to assess lymphoma type and stage of tumor.

Results: The mean age was estimated as 45.18±15.68 years and 146 patients were males (74.5%). About 112(57.1%) patients belonged from rural areas, 74(37.8%) were illiterate, 152(77.6%) had monthly income less 15,000 PKR, 165(84.2%) were married, 78 patients were Sindhi (39.8%), 49(25%) patients were obese, 41(20.9%) had diabetes mellitus and 47(24%) had hypertension. Out of 196, 141(72%) patients had Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The statistically significant association was found between lymphoma type and age (p=0.001), gender (p=0.028), locality (p=0.039), monthly income (p=0.037), obesity (p=0.054), hypertension (p=0.053) and diabetes mellitus (p=0.003).

Conclusion: Increased age, male gender, rural residency, low socio-economic background and comorbids are identified as
major socio-demographic determinants and found to be highly associated with increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.