Decreased survival of glioma patients with astrocytoma grade IV (glioblastoma multiforme) associated with long-term use of mobile and cordless phones

Int J Environ Res Public Health · 2014 · Harm · Low evidence

← Research stream

HarmLow evidencePaper 2736

Study snapshot

PublicationInt J Environ Res Public Health · 2014

Study typecase_control

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

On 31 May 2011 the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) categorised radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) from mobile phones, and from other devices that emit similar non-ionising electromagnetic fields, as a Group 2B, i.e., a "possible", human carcinogen. A causal association would be strengthened if it could be shown that the use of wireless phones has an impact on the survival of glioma patients. We analysed survival of 1678 glioma patients in our 1997-2003 and 2007-2009 case-control studies. Use of wireless phones in the >20 years latency group (time since first use) yielded an increased hazard ratio (HR) = 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.2-2.3 for glioma. For astrocytoma grade IV (glioblastoma multiforme; n = 926) mobile phone use yielded HR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.4-2.9 and cordless phone use HR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.04-11 in the same latency category. The hazard ratio for astrocytoma grade IV increased statistically significant per year of latency for wireless phones, HR = 1.020, 95% CI = 1.007-1.033, but not per 100 h cumulative use, HR = 1.002, 95% CI = 0.999-1.005. HR was not statistically significant increased for other types of glioma. Due to the relationship with survival the classification of IARC is strengthened and RF-EMF should be regarded as human carcinogen requiring urgent revision of current exposure guidelines.

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 typecase_control

Effect directionharm

PopulationGlioma patients (including astrocytoma grade IV/glioblastoma multiforme) from the authors' 1997–2003 and 2007–2009 case-control studies

Sample size1678

ExposureRF · >20 years latency (time since first use); also assessed per year of latency and per 100 h cumulative use

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In >20 years latency, wireless phone use was associated with increased hazard ratio for glioma survival (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.3). For astrocytoma grade IV (n=926), >20 years latency mobile phone use had HR 2.0 (95% CI 1.4–2.9) and cordless phone use HR 3.4 (95% CI 1.04–11). For astrocytoma grade IV, HR increased per year of latency (HR 1.020, 95% CI 1.007–1.033) but not per 100 h cumulative use (HR 1.002, 95% CI 0.999–1.005); other glioma types did not show statistically significant increases.

Outcomes measured

Survival (hazard ratio) among glioma patients
Survival (hazard ratio) among astrocytoma grade IV/glioblastoma multiforme patients

Limitations

Design described as analysis of survival within case-control studies; potential for bias/confounding is not detailed in the abstract
Exposure metrics rely on latency and cumulative hours; frequency/SAR and other exposure characterization not provided in the abstract
Not all glioma subtypes showed statistically significant associations

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "case_control",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone, cordless phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": ">20 years latency (time since first use); also assessed per year of latency and per 100 h cumulative use"
  },
  "population": "Glioma patients (including astrocytoma grade IV/glioblastoma multiforme) from the authors' 1997–2003 and 2007–2009 case-control studies",
  "sample_size": 1678,
  "outcomes": [
    "Survival (hazard ratio) among glioma patients",
    "Survival (hazard ratio) among astrocytoma grade IV/glioblastoma multiforme patients"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In >20 years latency, wireless phone use was associated with increased hazard ratio for glioma survival (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.3). For astrocytoma grade IV (n=926), >20 years latency mobile phone use had HR 2.0 (95% CI 1.4–2.9) and cordless phone use HR 3.4 (95% CI 1.04–11). For astrocytoma grade IV, HR increased per year of latency (HR 1.020, 95% CI 1.007–1.033) but not per 100 h cumulative use (HR 1.002, 95% CI 0.999–1.005); other glioma types did not show statistically significant increases.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Design described as analysis of survival within case-control studies; potential for bias/confounding is not detailed in the abstract",
    "Exposure metrics rely on latency and cumulative hours; frequency/SAR and other exposure characterization not provided in the abstract",
    "Not all glioma subtypes showed statistically significant associations"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "RF-EMF",
    "wireless phones",
    "mobile phones",
    "cordless phones",
    "glioma",
    "astrocytoma grade IV",
    "glioblastoma multiforme",
    "survival",
    "hazard ratio",
    "latency"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.95,
      "reason": "Assesses survival in glioma patients in relation to mobile phone use."
    },
    {
      "slug": "cordless-phones",
      "weight": 0.8,
      "reason": "Reports hazard ratios for cordless phone use in >20 years latency group."
    },
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.55,
      "reason": "Discusses IARC classification and calls for revision of exposure guidelines."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.3390/ijerph111010790
PubMed: 25325361

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library