Epidemiological study (observational study)

Meta-analysis of long-term mobile phone use and the association with brain tumours epidem.

By: Hardell L, Carlberg M, Söderqvist F, Hansson Mild K

Published in: Int J Oncol 2008; 32 (5): 1097-1103

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A meta-analysis was conducted in the Sweden to evaluate long-term mobile phone use and the association with brain tumours. Following studies published between 2001 and 2007 were included: Inskip et al. 2001, Auvinen et al. 2002, Lönn et al. 2004, Christensen et al. 2004, Schoemaker et al. 2005, Lönn et al. 2005, Christensen et al. 2005, Hepworth et al. 2006, Schüz et al. 2006, Hardell et al. 2006, Takebayashi et al. 2006, Lahkola et al. 2007, Hours et al. 2007, Schlehofer et al. 2007, and Klaeboe et al. 2007.

Further details

The analyses were separately performed for the brain tumor types glioma, acoustic neuroma and meningioma and for the both types of exposure "regular use of mobile phones" and "use for more than 10 years".

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

brain tumor: glioma, acoustic neuroma and meningioma

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

(odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- analog mobile phone
- digital mobile phone
- GSM
- NMT
- personal

Assessment

questionnaire

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	not exposed
Group 2	regular mobile phone use
Group 3	regular mobile phone use: > 10 years

Population

Group:
- men
- women
Study location: Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Germany, France, UK, USA, Japan

Statistical analysis method:

random effects model

Results (acc. to author)

The results showed overall no significantly increased risk for regular mobile phone use and brain tumours. Ipsilateral (on the same side) use for more than 10 years showed a significantly increased risk for glioma (OR 2.0, CI 1.2-3.4) and acoustic neuroma (OR 2.4, CI 1.2-5.3).
The authors concluded that the meta-analysis gave a consistent pattern of association between mobile phone use for more than 10 years and ipsilateral glioma and acoustic neuroma.

Limitations (acc. to author)

The results for mobile phone use for more than 10 years are based on low numbers.

Study funded by

Cancer och Allergifonden (Cancer and Allergy Foundation), Sweden

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