The relationship of incidence of childhood lymphoblastic leukaemia to social class.

W R Mcwhirter

doi:10.1038/bjc.1982.249

Abstract

A study has been made of the relationship between socio-economic factors and the incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) of childhood. It was found that the incidence of childhood ALL in 12 areas of Queensland. Australia, correlated well with some indicators of above-average socio-economic status for these areas. A similar result was found when Brisbane City was studied separately. Social class was determined from the fathers' occupations at the time of diagnosis. There was found to be a higher than expected number of ALL cases in each of the upper 5 social classes and a lower than expected number in the remaining 2 lower classes. Factors associated with differences in lifestyle amongst the various social classes may increase or decrease the risk of development of ALL.

Highlights

Summary.-A study has been made of the relationship between socio-economic factors and the incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) of childhood
Most cases are found by checking hospital records and, since only a very limited number of hospitals in Queensland treat childhood leukaemia, this research provides almost all the cases occurring in the state
In this study it has been shown that childhood ALL occurs with greater incidence in areas of the state which have some indicators of high socio-economic status

Summary

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The Queensland Childhood Malignancy Registry is a population-based registry covering the whole of Queensland. Most cases are found by checking hospital records and, since only a very limited number of hospitals in Queensland treat childhood leukaemia, this research provides almost all the cases occurring in the state. The lists of deaths from cancer supplied by the Registrar General are checked, but no additional cases of leukaemia have been found from this source. Demographic data were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (1976). This included information on the population of each area by age group and the proportions of the population with tertiary qualifications (a diploma or degree), in various occupation groups, and the proportion of students attending non-government schools (by place of residence). Similar data were obtained from the same source for each of the 153 suburbs of Brisbane City

RESULTS

In professional or technical occupations

Congalton scale

DISCUSSION