Epidemiological study (observational study)

Mobile phone use and location of glioma: a case-case analysis epidem.

By: Hartikka H, Heinävaara S, Mäntylä R, Kähärä V, Kurttio P, Auvinen A

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2009; 30 (3): 176-182

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A case-case analysis was conducted in Finland to evaluate the association between mobile phone use and the risk of glioma located in the area of the brain likely to receive most of the emitted radiofrequency energy.

Further details

The study sample represents a subset of the Finnish Interphone study. The shortest distance from the midpoint of the tumor to the assumed location of the mobile phone was calculated for each subject. The index group comprised cases with a distance of 4.6 cm or less and the reference group with a distance of more than 4.6 cm.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

brain tumor: glioma

Exposure

- mobile communications
- analog mobile phone
- digital mobile phone
- personal

Assessment

interview: mobile phone use, including start and end dates of use, average amount of use, use of hands-free devices, the side of the head on which the phone was mainly held during phone calls (laterality)
calculation: cumulative call time

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	never/non-regular use
Group 2	regular use
Reference group 3	cumulative call time: never/non-regular use
Group 4	cumulative call time: 2 - 539 h
Group 5	cumulative call time: > 540 h
Reference group 6	laterality of use: never/non-regular use
Group 7	laterality of use: ipsilateral
Group 8	laterality of use: contralateral
Reference group 9	duration of use: never/non-regular use
Group 10	duration of use: 0.5 - 5 years
Group 11	duration of use: > 5 years

Population

Group:
- men
- women
Age: 20–60 years
Characteristics: glioma, microscopically verified or an unequivocal radiological finding
Observation period: November 2000 - October 2002
Study location: Finland (Helsinki and Tampere)
Data source: neurosurgery clinics of Helsinki and Tampere university hospitals, Finland

Study size

Type	Value
Total	144
Participants	113
Participation rate	78 %
Evaluable	99

Statistical analysis method:

unconditional logistic regression

(adjustment:

age
sex
socioeconomic status

)

Results (acc. to author)

21 cases (22 %) were never or non-regular users. The percentage of cases with a distance of less than 4.6 cm between the tumor midpoint and the presumed location of the mobile phone was slightly higher among regular users than never and non-regular users. Non-significantly elevated odds ratios were observed for several indicators of mobile phone use, but without an exposure gradient. Significantly increased odds ratios were found for contralateral and short-term use.
The authors concluded that the results overall did not indicate an association between mobile phone use and the risk of glioma located in the most heavily exposed part of the brain.

Limitations (acc. to author)

The results are based on low numbers.

Study funded by

Emil Aaltonen Foundation, Finland
European Union (EU)/European Commission
International Union against Cancer (UICC; Union Internationale Contre le Cancer), Switzerland

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