Mobile phones, cordless phones and rates of brain tumors in different age groups in the Swedish National Inpatient Register and the Swedish Cancer Register during 1998-2015

PLoS One · 2017 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2322

Study snapshot

PublicationPLoS One · 2017

Study typeecological

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

- Mobile phones, cordless phones and rates of brain tumors in different age groups in the Swedish National Inpatient Register and the Swedish Cancer Register during 1998-2015 Hardell L, Carlberg M. Mobile phones, cordless phones and rates of brain tumors in different age groups in the Swedish National Inpatient Register and the Swedish Cancer Register during 1998-2015. PLoS One. 12(10): e0185461. Published online Oct 4, 2017. Abstract We used the Swedish Inpatient Register (IPR) to analyze rates of brain tumors of unknown type (D43) during 1998-2015. Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) per 100,000 increased with +2.06%, 95% confidence interval (CI) +1.27, +2.86% in both genders combined. A joinpoint was found in 2007 with Annual Percentage Change (APC) 1998-2007 of +0.16%, 95% CI -0.94, +1.28%, and 2007-2015 of +4.24%, 95% CI +2.87, +5.63%. Highest AAPC was found in the age group 20-39 years. In the Swedish Cancer Register the age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 increased for brain tumors, ICD-code 193.0, during 1998-2015 with AAPC in men +0.49%, 95% CI +0.05, +0.94%, and in women +0.33%, 95% CI -0.29, +0.45%. The cases with brain tumor of unknown type lack morphological examination. Brain tumor diagnosis was based on cytology/histopathology in 83% for men and in 87% for women in 1980. This frequency increased to 90% in men and 88% in women in 2015. During the same time period CT and MRI imaging techniques were introduced and morphology is not always necessary for diagnosis. If all brain tumors based on clinical diagnosis with CT or MRI had been reported to the Cancer Register the frequency of diagnoses based on cytology/histology would have decreased in the register. The results indicate underreporting of brain tumor cases to the Cancer Register. The real incidence would be higher. Thus, incidence trends based on the Cancer Register should be used with caution. Use of wireless phones should be considered in relation to the change of incidence rates. journals.plos.org

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Study typeecological

Effect directionmixed

PopulationSwedish population, different age groups

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposure1998-2015

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 30% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The study found an increase in rates of brain tumors of unknown type in the Swedish Inpatient Register from 1998 to 2015, with a notable joinpoint in 2007 showing accelerated increase. The highest increase was in the 20-39 years age group. The Swedish Cancer Register showed smaller increases in brain tumor incidence, but underreporting and diagnostic changes may affect these data. The authors suggest that wireless phone use should be considered in relation to these incidence changes.

Outcomes measured

brain tumors of unknown type (D43)
brain tumors (ICD-code 193.0)

Limitations

Ecological study design limits causal inference
Potential underreporting in Cancer Register
Changes in diagnostic methods over time affect incidence data

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "ecological",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "mobile phones, cordless phones",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "1998-2015"
  },
  "population": "Swedish population, different age groups",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "brain tumors of unknown type (D43)",
    "brain tumors (ICD-code 193.0)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The study found an increase in rates of brain tumors of unknown type in the Swedish Inpatient Register from 1998 to 2015, with a notable joinpoint in 2007 showing accelerated increase. The highest increase was in the 20-39 years age group. The Swedish Cancer Register showed smaller increases in brain tumor incidence, but underreporting and diagnostic changes may affect these data. The authors suggest that wireless phone use should be considered in relation to these incidence changes.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Ecological study design limits causal inference",
    "Potential underreporting in Cancer Register",
    "Changes in diagnostic methods over time affect incidence data"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.3,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "brain tumors",
    "mobile phones",
    "cordless phones",
    "incidence",
    "Swedish Cancer Register",
    "Swedish Inpatient Register",
    "epidemiology"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study focuses on mobile and cordless phone use and brain tumor incidence."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185461
PubMed: Not supplied

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