Epidemiological exploration of the impact of bluetooth headset usage on thyroid nodules using

Abstract

Epidemiological exploration of the impact of bluetooth headset usage on thyroid nodules using Shapley additive explanations method Zhou N, Qin W, Zhang JJ, Wang Y, Wen JS, Lim YM. Epidemiological exploration of the impact of bluetooth headset usage on thyroid nodules using Shapley additive explanations method. Sci Rep. 2024 Jun 21;14(1):14354. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-63653-0. Abstract With an increasing prevalence of thyroid nodules globally, this study investigates the potential correlation between the use of Bluetooth headsets and the incidence of thyroid nodules, considering the cumulative effects of non-ionizing radiation (NIR) emitted by these devices. In this study, we analyzed 600 valid questionnaires from the WenJuanXing platform using Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and the XGBOOST model, supplemented by SHAP analysis, to assess the risk of thyroid nodules. PSM was utilized to balance baseline characteristic differences, thereby reducing bias. The XGBOOST model was then employed to predict risk factors, with model efficacy measured by the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). SHAP analysis helped quantify and explain the impact of each feature on the prediction outcomes, identifying key risk factors. Initially, 600 valid questionnaires from the WenJuanXing platform underwent PSM processing, resulting in a matched dataset of 96 cases for modeling analysis. The AUC value of the XGBOOST model reached 0.95, demonstrating high accuracy in differentiating thyroid nodule risks. SHAP analysis revealed age and daily Bluetooth headset usage duration as the two most significant factors affecting thyroid nodule risk. Specifically, longer daily usage durations of Bluetooth headsets were strongly linked to an increased risk of developing thyroid nodules, as indicated by the SHAP analysis outcomes. Our study highlighted a significant impact relationship between prolonged Bluetooth headset use and increased thyroid nodule risk, emphasizing the importance of considering health impacts in the use of modern technology, especially for devices like Bluetooth headsets that are frequently used daily. Through precise model predictions and variable importance analysis, our research provides a scientific basis for the formulation of public health policies and personal health habit choices, suggesting that attention should be paid to the duration of Bluetooth headset use in daily life to reduce the potential risk of thyroid nodules. Future research should further investigate the biological mechanisms of this relationship and consider additional potential influencing factors to offer more comprehensive health guidance and preventive measures. Open access paper: nature.com

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In analysis of 600 questionnaires (with a propensity-score-matched dataset of 96 cases used for modeling), SHAP analysis identified age and daily Bluetooth headset usage duration as the two most significant factors affecting thyroid nodule risk. Longer daily Bluetooth headset usage duration was reported as strongly linked to increased thyroid nodule risk.

Outcomes measured

• thyroid nodules
• thyroid nodule risk

Limitations

• Questionnaire-based data (self-reported exposure/outcome not described in detail).
• After propensity score matching, the modeling dataset was reduced to 96 cases.
• Observational/cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
• Exposure metrics limited to daily usage duration; no frequency/SAR or measured exposure reported.
• Potential residual confounding not fully addressed in abstract.

Suggested hubs

• bluetooth-devices (0.9)
  Study evaluates health risk associated with Bluetooth headset usage duration.

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    "study_type": "cross_sectional",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "bluetooth headset",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "daily Bluetooth headset usage duration"
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": 600,
    "outcomes": [
        "thyroid nodules",
        "thyroid nodule risk"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In analysis of 600 questionnaires (with a propensity-score-matched dataset of 96 cases used for modeling), SHAP analysis identified age and daily Bluetooth headset usage duration as the two most significant factors affecting thyroid nodule risk. Longer daily Bluetooth headset usage duration was reported as strongly linked to increased thyroid nodule risk.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Questionnaire-based data (self-reported exposure/outcome not described in detail).",
        "After propensity score matching, the modeling dataset was reduced to 96 cases.",
        "Observational/cross-sectional design limits causal inference.",
        "Exposure metrics limited to daily usage duration; no frequency/SAR or measured exposure reported.",
        "Potential residual confounding not fully addressed in abstract."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "Bluetooth headset",
        "non-ionizing radiation",
        "thyroid nodules",
        "propensity score matching",
        "XGBOOST",
        "SHAP",
        "ROC AUC",
        "questionnaire"
    ],
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            "slug": "bluetooth-devices",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Study evaluates health risk associated with Bluetooth headset usage duration."
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}

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