Time trends in mobile phone use and glioma incidence among males in the Nordic Countries, 1979-2016

Authors: Isabelle Deltour, Aslak Harbo Poulsen, Christoffer Johansen, Maria Feychting, Tom Børge Johannesen, Anssi Auvinen, Joachim Schüz

Year: 2022

Category: Epidemiology

Journal: Environment International

Institution: Environment International

DOI: doi:10.1016/j.envint.2022.107487

URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412022004147

Abstract

Overview

In the Nordic countries, the use of mobile phones has increased noticeably starting in the mid-1990s, particularly among middle-aged men. Our study delves into the relationship between trends in glioma incidence rates (IR) and mobile phone use, covering the period from 1979 to 2016.

Methods

Analyzed glioma incidence rates in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden for men aged 40-69 years.
Utilized national cancer registries and population statistics to observe trends.
Employed log-linear joinpoint analysis for detailed trend assessment.
Compared annual observed incidence with expected rates under various risk models.

Findings

Data from 18,232 glioma cases reveal a slight yet steady increase in glioma IR among men aged 40-59 and 60-69 years during the study period. Crucially, the trends observed are inconsistent with substantial risks from mobile phone use as suggested by earlier case-control studies, thus indicating no significant relationship between mobile phone use and increased glioma rates.

Conclusion

This comprehensive analysis underscores the lack of correlation between mobile phone use and significant increases in glioma incidence within the studied demographic. It emphasizes that the risks postulated by some previous research are implausible, likely reflecting biases or errors in self-reported data on mobile phone use.

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