Study type: Epidemiological study (observational study)

Cellular phones, cordless phones, and the risks of glioma and meningioma (Interphone Study Group, Germany) epidem.

Published in: Am J Epidemiol 2006; 163 (6): 512-520

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To examine whether the risk of glioma and meningioma is associated with the use of cellular phones or cordless phones, a population-based case-control study was conducted in Germany.

Further details

This study is part of the INTERPHONE project.
Regular use of cellular phone was defined as at least one incoming or outgoing call per week for 6 months or more.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

Type of risk estimation: (odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

Assessment

Exposure groups

Group Description
Reference group 1 regular cellular phone use: never
Group 2 regular cellular phone use: ever
Group 3 time since first regular use: never, < 1 year
Group 4 time since first regular use: 1-4 years
Group 5 time since first regular use: ≥ 5 years
Group 6 time since first regular use: 5-9 years
Group 7 time since first regular use: ≥ 10 years
Reference group 8 lifetime number of calls: never use
Group 9 lifetime number of calls: ≤ 1176
Group 10 lifetime number of calls: > 1176 ≤ 4350
Group 11 lifetime number of calls: > 4350
Reference group 12 lifetime duration of calls: never use
Group 13 lifetime duration of calls: ≤ 44
Group 14 lifetime duration of calls: > 44 ≤ 195
Group 15 lifetime duration of calls: > 195
Reference group 16 intensity of use: never
Group 17 intensity of use: < 30 minutes/day
Group 18 intensity of use: ≥ 30 minutes/day
Reference group 19 duration of calls ≥ 5 years before reference date: never
Group 20 duration of calls ≥ 5 years before reference date: < 5 years
Group 21 duration of calls ≥ 5 years before reference date: ≥ 5 years, ≤ 34.5 hours
Group 22 duration of calls ≥ 5 years before reference date: ≥ 5 years, > 34.5 hours
Reference group 23 cordless phone use: no
Group 24 cordless phone use: yes (at home or at work)
Group 25 cordless phone use: yes, at work only
Group 26 cordless phone use: yes, at home only
Group 27 cordless phone use: yes, at home and at work
Reference group 28 time since first cordless phone use: no use or < 5 years
Group 29 time since first cordless phone use: 1-4 years
Group 30 time since first cordless phone use: ≥ 5 years
Reference group 31 time since first use (cordless and/or cellular phones): no use or < 1 year
Group 32 time since first use (cordless and/or cellular phones): 1-4 years
Group 33 time since first use (cordless and/or cellular phones): ≥ 5 years

Population

Case group

Control group

Study size

Cases Controls
Eligible 891 2,449
Participants 747 1,535
Participation rate 84 % 63 %
Other:

glioma: 460 cases eligible, 366 participating; meningioma: 431 cases eligible, 381 participating

Statistical analysis method: (adjustment: )

Results (acc. to author)

The results did not indicate an overall increased risk of glioma or meningioma among regular cellular telephone users. An elevated risk of glioma was observed among persons who had used cellular phones for 10 or more years, but based on small numbers. No association between cordless telephone use and the risks of glioma or meningioma was found. An increased risk of high-grade glioma was observed for women, which might be a chance finding.

Limitations (acc. to author)

The number of cellular phone users for 10 years or more was low and effects of recall bias cannot to be ruled out.

Study funded by

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