Background: While the incidence of non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) has been rising worldwide, the reasonsremain undefined. Recent research has focused on effect of red andf processed meat intake as a risk factor, butwith inconclusive results. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis of data published to date, to ascertain theoverall association between intake and NHL. Materials and Methods: A published literature search was performedthrough Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Medline, and Science Citation Index Expanded databases for articlespublished in English. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated usingrandom or fixed effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using Chi-square and I2 statistics. Disseminationbias was evaluated by funnel plot analysis.We performed a formal meta-analysis using summary measures fromthese studies. Results: In total, 11 published studies were included in the final analysis. The combined analysisrevealed that there was significant association between the red meat and NHL risk (OR=1.10, 95%CI: 1.02 to1.19, p=0.01). Additionally, there was showed significance association between processed red meat and NHL risk(OR=1.17, 95%CI: 1.06 to 1.29, p=0.001). In subgroup analysis, a statistical significant association was notedbetween diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (OR=1.20, 95%CI: 1.04 to 2.37, P=0.01) and red meat intake. Conclusions: In this meta-Analysis, there was evidence for association between consumption of red meat, orprocessed meat and risk of NHL, particularly with the DLBCL subtype in the red meat case.
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