Association between Cytomegalovirus Infection and Cancer-Related Mortality in Us Adults

Abstract

Purpose: In a nationwide cohort of US adults, an exploration of the correlation between cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and cancer‑related mortality was conducted.

Materials and Methods: We acquired data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (1988-1994), including 11,138 individuals who were aged 18-90 years and underwent CMV serology assessments. CMV infection was determined by CMV antibody testing. Cancer‑related mortality status was ascertained until December 2019 utilizing the National Death Index linkage data and determined by neoplasms. Cox proportional hazard model was applied to estimate the potential association between CMV infection and the risk of mortality related to cancer.

Results: During a median follow-up of 26.1 years, 1,514 cancer‑related deaths were identified in the study cohort. After adjusting for attained age, sex, and ethnicity, CMV infection was associated with a higher hazard of cancer‑related mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.70) than unadjusted risk. Further adjustments for body mass index, family income, and smoking status slightly attenuated the immensity of the association (HR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.53). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant association only among non-Hispanic white individuals (HR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.59), yet no significant interrelation was observed among other ethnic populations.

Conclusions: CMV infection might be an independent risk factor for cancer‑related mortality among US adults. If the findings are validated in an independent population, Future studies should focus on exploring the mechanisms through which CMV infection influences mortality induced by neoplasms and developing targeted interventions to reduce this risk.

Note:
Funding declaration: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Conflict of Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Keywords: Cytomegalovirus, Neoplasms, Cancer-related Mortality, NHANES III