Epidemiological study (observational study)

Cellular telephones and risk for brain tumors: a population-based, incident case-control study epidem.

By: Christensen HC, Schüz J, Kosteljanetz M, Poulsen HS, Boice Jr JD, McLaughlin JK, Johansen C

Published in: Neurology 2005; 64 (7): 1189-1195

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The population-based case-control study was conducted in Denmark to investigate the possible association of brain tumors with use of cellular telephones. This study is part of the INTERPHONE project.

Further details

Regular use was defined as use of a cellular telephone at least once a week for 6 months or more.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

brain tumor: glioma and meningioma

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

(odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- personal

Assessment

interview: ever used cellular phone, regular use, different cellular telephone, start and stop dates for each regularly used telephone type, numbers of calls, duration of calls, use of handsets with a microphone and hand-free sets
calculation: lifetime number of calls, lifetime hours of cellular telephone use

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	non regular use
Group 2	regular use
Reference group 3	time since first use: no or < 1 year
Group 4	time since first use: 1-4 years
Group 5	time since first use: ≤ 5 years
Group 6	time since first use: 5-9 years
Group 7	time since first use: ≥ 10 years
Reference group 8	lifetime number of calls: no or rarely
Group 9	lifetime number of calls ≤ 2349
Group 10	lifetime number of calls > 2349-≤ 8921
Group 11	lifetime number of calls > 8921
Reference group 12	lifetime hours of use: no or rarely
Group 13	lifetime hours of use: ≤ 115.6
Group 14	lifetime hours of use: > 115.6-≤ 467.9
Group 15	lifetime hours of use: > 467.9
Reference group 16	hours of use 5 years before diagnosis: no or rarely
Group 17	hours of use 5 years before diagnosis: 1-4 years
Group 18	hours of use 5 years before diagnosis: ≥ 5 years, ≥ 57.2 hours
Group 19	hours of use 5 years before diagnosis: ≥ 5 years, < 57.2 hours
Reference group 20	intensity of use: no or rarely
Group 21	intensity of use: < 15 min/day
Group 22	intensity of use: ≥ 15-< 60 min/day
Group 23	intensity of use: ≥ 60 min/day
Reference group 24	ionizing radiation: no
Group 25	ionizing radiation: low diagnostic
Group 26	ionizing radiation: high diagnostic
Group 27	ionizing radiation: occupational
Group 28	ionizing radiation: radiation therapy
Reference group 29	ionizing radiation and regular cellular phone use: neither
Group 30	ionizing radiation and regular cellular phone use: only regular use
Group 31	ionizing radiation and regular cellular phone use: only ionizing radiation
Group 32	ionizing radiation and regular cellular phone use: both

Population

Group:
- men
- women
Age: 20–69 years
Observation period: September 1999 - August 2002
Study location: Denmark (5 neurosurgical departments)

Case group

Characteristics: glioma and meningioma, verified by histology, computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging
Data source: Danish Cancer Registry
Exclusion criteria: prior cancer

Control group

Selection:
- population-based
Matching:
- sex
- age
- area

Study size

	Cases	Controls
Eligible	592	-
Participants	427	822
Participation rate	74 %	64 %

Other:

glioma: number eligible: 354, number participating: 252; meningioma: number eligible: 238, number participating: 175

Statistical analysis method:

unconditional logistic regression
Chi-square test
Wilcoxon test

(adjustment:

age
sex
residential area
education
marital status

)

Results (acc. to author)

The results did not support an association between the risk for brain tumors and the use of cellular telephones. The data showed a decreased risk for high-grade glioma.

Limitations (acc. to author)

The observation period was restricted to 10 years.

Study funded by

Danish Cancer Society
European Union (EU)/European Commission
GSM Association, UK/Ireland
International Epidemiology Institute, Maryland, USA
International Union against Cancer (UICC; Union Internationale Contre le Cancer), Switzerland
Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF), Belgium

Comments on this article

Gale BD et al. (2006): Cellular telephones and risk for brain tumors: a population-based, incident case-control study
Christensen HC et al. (2005): Erratum: Cellular telephones and risk for brain tumors: a population-based, incident case-control study

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