Association between mobile phone use and risk of rheumatoid arthritis: A large prospective cohort study

PLoS One · 2026 · Harm · Moderate evidence

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HarmModerate evidencePaper 6870

During a median follow-up of 13.63 years, 6,082 new rheumatoid arthritis cases were identified. Mobile phone users had an elevated risk of RA onset compared with non-users (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07–1.23), and use for more than 30 minutes per week was associated w…

Study snapshot

PublicationPLoS One · 2026

Study typecohort

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

Background It remains uncertain whether there is a relationship between mobile phone use and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Research on the relationship between different mobile phone usage(MPU) behaviors and the risk of RA onset is still insufficient. Methods The UK Biobank (UKB) data were utilised to inquire into the relationship between four mobile phone use exposure variables—MPU, length of mobile phone use(LMPU), weekly usage of mobile phone for making or receiving calls(WMPU), and hands-free device/speakerphone use with mobile phones to make or receive calls(HMPU)—and new-onset RA. The relationships between MPU behaviors and the occurrence of RA in the general population were assessed using Cox regression analyses. These associations were further explored in subgroups stratified. We implemented sensitivity analyses to confirm the stability of the results. Results During a median follow-up period of 13.63 years, 6082 new cases of RA were identified among 479,966 participants. Individuals who used cell phones had a 14% elevated risk of the onset of RA (HR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.07–1.23), with an 8% elevated risk (HR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.15) observed among those who used a mobile phone for more than 30 minutes per week. Conclusions We aimed to investigate the association between MPU and the risk of developing RA in the general population. Results indicate that increased MPU, longer duration of use, and greater weekly mobile phone usage time may be associated with an elevated risk of developing RA.

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 typecohort

Effect directionharm

PopulationUK Biobank participants/general population

Sample size479966

ExposureRF · >30 minutes per week for mobile phone calling/receiving calls was analyzed

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 95% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

new-onset rheumatoid arthritis

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cohort",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": ">30 minutes per week for mobile phone calling/receiving calls was analyzed"
  },
  "population": "UK Biobank participants/general population",
  "sample_size": 479966,
  "outcomes": [
    "new-onset rheumatoid arthritis"
  ],
  "main_findings": "During a median follow-up of 13.63 years, 6,082 new rheumatoid arthritis cases were identified. Mobile phone users had an elevated risk of RA onset compared with non-users (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07–1.23), and use for more than 30 minutes per week was associated with elevated risk (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02–1.15).",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.95,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "mobile phone use",
    "rheumatoid arthritis",
    "UK Biobank",
    "prospective cohort",
    "Cox regression",
    "RF exposure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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.0347330
PubMed: Not supplied

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