Mobile phone use and glioma risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Yang M, Guo W, Yang C, Tang J, Huang Q, Feng S, Jiang A, Xu X, Jiang G

Year: 2017 May 4

Category: Epidemiology

Journal: PLoS One

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175136

URL: http://bit.ly/2peeylc

Abstract

Overview

The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the association between mobile phone use and the risk of developing glioma. With varying results from individual studies, this analysis seeks to aggregate and ascertain potential risks.

Methods

  • A systematic search was conducted across Science Citation Index, Embase, and PubMed from 1980-2016.
  • The analysis focused on odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random effects model.
  • Studies included amounted to 11, involving 6028 cases and 11488 controls.

Findings

  • Significant positive association found between long-term mobile phone use (10 years minimum) and glioma risk (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.08-1.91).
  • Long-term ipsilateral mobile phone use even more conclusively linked to glioma risks (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.12-1.92).
  • Interestingly, long-term mobile phone use linked to a 2.22 times greater odds of low-grade glioma (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.69-2.92).
  • No significant association found between mobile phone use and high-grade glioma.

Conclusion

Long-term mobile phone use may increase the risk of glioma, particularly low-grade types. Despite the significant findings, the quality and quantity of current evidence are limited, highlighting the need for further high-quality, large-sample studies to better characterize these risks.

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