Socioeconomic/occupational risk factors for lymphoproliferative diseases in Sweden

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to investigate associations between socioeconomic and occupational factors and lymphoproliferative (LP) diseases. METHODS: We performed a follow-up study on the economically active Swedish population, based on the Swedish Family-Cancer Database. Standardized incidence ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated in different social classes and occupations. RESULTS: An increased risk for LP diseases was observed for physicians, plumbers, chemical process workers, and food manufacture workers among men and shoe and leather workers, mechanics, iron and metalware workers, and launderers and dry cleaners among women. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that socioeconomic and occupational factors have a minor effect on risk for LP diseases. Exposure to organic solvents may increase the risk for some LP diseases, although inconsistencies of findings between subcohorts do not rule out spurious associations.