Pooled analysis of case-control studies on malignant brain tumours and the use of mobile and cordless phones including living and deceased subjects

Abstract

We studied the association between use of mobile and cordless phones and malignant brain tumours. Pooled analysis was performed of two case-control studies on patients with malignant brain tumours diagnosed during 1997-2003 and matched controls alive at the time of study inclusion and one case-control study on deceased patients and controls diagnosed during the same time period. Cases and controls or relatives to deceased subjects were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Replies were obtained for 1,251 (85%) cases and 2,438 (84%) controls. The risk increased with latency period and cumulative use in hours for both mobile and cordless phones. Highest risk was found for the most common type of glioma, astrocytoma, yielding in the >10 year latency group for mobile phone use odds ratio (OR) = 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.9-3.7 and cordless phone use OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.2-2.9. In a separate analysis, these phone types were independent risk factors for glioma. The risk for astrocytoma was highest in the group with first use of a wireless phone before the age of 20; mobile phone use OR = 4.9, 95% CI = 2.2-11, cordless phone use OR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.7-8.7. In conclusion, an increased risk was found for glioma and use of mobile or cordless phone. The risk increased with latency time and cumulative use in hours and was highest in subjects with first use before the age of 20.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

This pooled analysis of case-control studies reported increased odds of glioma associated with both mobile and cordless phone use. Risk increased with longer latency and greater cumulative hours of use, with the highest reported risk for astrocytoma in the >10 year latency group and among those with first wireless phone use before age 20.

Outcomes measured

• Malignant brain tumours
• Glioma
• Astrocytoma

Limitations

• Case-control design
• Exposure information collected by questionnaire/interview
• Included proxy interviews for deceased subjects

{
    "study_type": "policy",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone, cordless phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Latency period and cumulative use in hours; >10 year latency group reported"
    },
    "population": "Patients with malignant brain tumours and matched controls, including living and deceased subjects, diagnosed during 1997-2003",
    "sample_size": 3689,
    "outcomes": [
        "Malignant brain tumours",
        "Glioma",
        "Astrocytoma"
    ],
    "main_findings": "This pooled analysis of case-control studies reported increased odds of glioma associated with both mobile and cordless phone use. Risk increased with longer latency and greater cumulative hours of use, with the highest reported risk for astrocytoma in the >10 year latency group and among those with first wireless phone use before age 20.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Case-control design",
        "Exposure information collected by questionnaire/interview",
        "Included proxy interviews for deceased subjects"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.92000000000000003996802888650563545525074005126953125,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "mobile phone",
        "cordless phone",
        "RF",
        "brain tumour",
        "glioma",
        "astrocytoma",
        "case-control",
        "latency",
        "cumulative use"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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