Study type: Epidemiological study (observational study)

Use of mobile and cordless phones and survival of patients with glioma epidem.

Published in: Neuroepidemiology 2013; 40 (2): 101-108

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Survival of patients after glioma diagnosis in relation to the use of mobile phones and cordless phones was investigated in a case-control study in Sweden. The present study is based on the study population of the case-control studies of Hardell et al (2006), Hardell et al (2011) and Hardell et al (2010).

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

Exposure

Assessment

Exposure groups

Group Description
Reference group 1 unexposed: no mobile or cordless phone use or less than 1 year
Group 2 mobile + cordless phone use > 1 to 5 years
Group 3 mobile + cordless phone use > 5 to 10 years
Group 4 mobile + cordless phone use >10 years
Group 5 mobile phone (analog and digital) use > 1 to 5 years
Group 6 mobile phone use > 5 to 10 years
Group 7 mobile phone use >10 years
Group 8 cordless phone use > 1 to 5 years
Group 9 cordless phone use > 5 to 10 years
Group 10 cordless phone use >10 years
Group 11 mobile + cordless phone, cumulative lifetime use: 1 - 1,000 h
Group 12 mobile + cordless phone, cumulative lifetime use: 1,001 - 2,000 h
Group 13 mobile + cordless phone, cumulative lifetime use: > 2,000 h
Group 14 mobile phone, cumulative lifetime use: 1 - 1,000 h
Group 15 mobile phone, cumulative lifetime use: 1,001 - 2,000 h
Group 16 mobile phone, cumulative lifetime use: > 2,000 h
Group 17 cordless phone, cumulative lifetime use: 1 - 1,000 h
Group 18 cordless phone, cumulative lifetime use: 1,001 - 2,000 h
Group 19 cordless phone, cumulative lifetime use: > 2,000 h
Group 20 mobile + cordless phone use: first terzile
Group 21 mobile + cordless phone use: second terzile
Group 22 mobile + cordless phone use: third terzile
Group 23 mobile phone use: first terzile
Group 24 mobile phone use: second terzile
Group 25 mobile phone use: third terzile
Group 26 cordless phone use: first terzile
Group 27 cordless phone use: second terzile
Group 28 cordless phone use: third terzile

Population

Study size

Type Value
Total 1,251
Eligible 1,233
Statistical analysis method: (adjustment: )

Results (acc. to author)

In total, a statistically non-significant, marginal increased risk for the association between survival of glioma cases and the use of mobile phones and cordless phones was found (HR 1.1, CI 0.9-1.2). The hazard ratio was 1.2 (CI 1.002-1.5, p trend = 0.02) for glioma in the highest exposure group with > 10-year latency. For astrocytoma grade I-II (low-grade), a statistically decreased risk was observed (HR 0.5, CI 0.3-0.9) and for astrocytoma grade IV (glioblastoma) the hazard ratio was 1.1 (CI 0.95-1.4), with > 10 year latency 1.3 (CI 1.03-1.7). In the highest tertile ( 1 426 h) of cumulative use, a statistically non-significant increased risk was found (HR 1.2, CI 0.95-1.5) for glioblastoma. The results were similar for mobile phones and cordless phones.
The authors concluded that a decreased survival of glioma cases with long-term and high cumulative use of wireless phones was found. A survival disadvantage for astrocytoma grade IV, but a survival benefit for astrocytoma grade I-II was observed which could be due to exposure-related tumor symptoms leading to earlier diagnosis and surgery in that patient group.

Study funded by

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