Physical activity, obesity and survival in diffuse large B-cell and follicular lymphoma cases

Abstract

There is limited information concerning the impact of physical activity and obesity on non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) prognosis. We examined the associations between pre-diagnosis physical activity and body mass index (BMI) with survival in 238 diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL) and 175 follicular lymphoma cases, with follow-up from 2000 to 2015. The most physically active DLBCL cases had 41% lower risk of dying in the follow-up period than the least active [Hazard ratio (HR) = 0·59, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0·36–0·96], while obese follicular lymphoma cases had a 2·5-fold risk of dying (HR = 2·52, 95% CI = 1·27–5·00) compared with cases with normal BMI. NHL-specific survival results were similar.