The effects of radiofrequency exposure on male fertility and adverse reproductive outcomes: A protocol for two systematic reviews of human observational studies with meta-analysis

2022 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 983

This paper describes protocols for two systematic reviews (with meta-analysis if appropriate) assessing RF-EMF exposure in relation to male fertility outcomes (SR3A) and adverse pregnancy outcomes (SR3B) in human observational studies. No results are reported…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2022

Study typesystematic_review

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

The effects of radiofrequency exposure on male fertility and adverse reproductive outcomes: A protocol for two systematic reviews of human observational studies with meta-analysis Ryan P.W. Kenny, Evelyn Barron Millar, Adenike Adesanya, Catherine Richmond, Fiona Beyer, Carolina Calderon, Judith Rankin, Mireille Toledano, Maria Feychting, Mark S Pearce, Dawn Craig, Fiona Pearson. The effects of radiofrequency exposure on male fertility and adverse reproductive outcomes: A protocol for two systematic reviews of human observational studies with meta-analysis. Environment International. 158, 2022, 106968. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106968. Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) is bringing together evidence on radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure in relation to health outcomes, previously identified as priorities for evaluation by experts in the field, to inform exposure guidelines. A suite of systematic reviews are being undertaken by a network of topic experts and methodologists in order to collect, assess and synthesise data relevant to these guidelines. Here, we present the protocol for the systematic review on the effect of exposure to RF on adverse reproductive outcomes (human observational studies), also referred to as Systematic Review (SR) 3 within the series of systematic reviews currently being commissioned. Objectives Following the WHO handbook for guideline development and the COSTER conduct guidelines, we will systematically review the effect of RF-EMF exposure on both male fertility (SR3A) and adverse pregnancy outcomes (SR3B) in human observational studies. Herein we adhere to the PRISMA-P reporting guidelines. Data sources We will conduct a broad search for potentially relevant records relevant for both reviews within the following bibliographic databases: MEDLINE; Embase; and EMF Portal. We will also conduct searches of grey literature through relevant databases and organisational websites. RF-EMF experts will also be consulted. We will hand search citation and reference lists of included study records. Study eligibility criteria We will include quantitative human observational studies on the effect of RF-EMF exposure: (in SR3A) in adult male participants on infertility, sperm morphology, concentration or total sperm count or motility; and (in SR3B) in preconception adults or pregnant women on preterm birth, small for gestational age (associated with intrauterine growth restriction), miscarriage, stillbirth and congenital anomalies. Study appraisal and synthesis methods Titles, abstracts and then full texts will be screened in blinded duplicate against eligibility criteria with input from a third reviewer as required. Data extraction from included studies will be completed by two reviewers as will risk of bias assessment using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) tool. If appropriate we will undertake meta-analysis to pool effect measures and explore heterogeneity using sub-group analyses or meta-regression as feasible. We will conduct sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of any assumptions made throughout the review process. The OHAT methodology, based on the GRADE guidelines for evidence assessment, will be used to evaluate the certainty of evidence per outcome and to conclude the level of evidence of a health effect. Conclusion This manuscript details the protocols for two systematic reviews. The aims of publishing details of both protocols are to: pre-specify their scope and methods; reduce the impact of reviewer bias; promote transparency and replicability; and improve the review process. Prospero registration CRD42021265401 (SR3A), CRD42021266268 (SR3B). Open access paper: sciencedirect.com

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typesystematic_review

Effect directionunclear

PopulationAdult male participants (SR3A); preconception adults or pregnant women (SR3B) in human observational studies

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 86% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Male infertility
Sperm morphology
Sperm concentration
Total sperm count
Sperm motility
Preterm birth
Small for gestational age (associated with intrauterine growth restriction)
Miscarriage
Stillbirth
Congenital anomalies

Limitations

Protocol paper; no study results reported
Exposure metrics (e.g., frequency, SAR, duration) not specified in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "systematic_review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Adult male participants (SR3A); preconception adults or pregnant women (SR3B) in human observational studies",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Male infertility",
    "Sperm morphology",
    "Sperm concentration",
    "Total sperm count",
    "Sperm motility",
    "Preterm birth",
    "Small for gestational age (associated with intrauterine growth restriction)",
    "Miscarriage",
    "Stillbirth",
    "Congenital anomalies"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This paper describes protocols for two systematic reviews (with meta-analysis if appropriate) assessing RF-EMF exposure in relation to male fertility outcomes (SR3A) and adverse pregnancy outcomes (SR3B) in human observational studies. No results are reported in this protocol.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Protocol paper; no study results reported",
    "Exposure metrics (e.g., frequency, SAR, duration) not specified in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.86,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "radiofrequency",
    "male fertility",
    "sperm",
    "pregnancy outcomes",
    "systematic review protocol",
    "meta-analysis",
    "WHO",
    "OHAT",
    "GRADE",
    "PRISMA-P",
    "COSTER"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Protocol explicitly framed as part of WHO-commissioned evidence synthesis to inform exposure guidelines."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106968
PubMed: Not supplied

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