Review

Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 115, Number 1, January 2007

Source of Funding and Results of Studies of Health Effects of Mobile Phone Use: Systematic Review of Experimental Studies

Anke Huss,¹ Matthias Egger,^1,2 Kerstin Hug,³ Karin Huwiler-Müntener,¹ and Martin Röösli¹

¹Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland; ²Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol, United Kingdom; ³Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Basle, Basle, Switzerland

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Abstract
Objectives: There is concern regarding the possible health effects of cellular telephone use. We examined whether the source of funding of studies of the effects of low-level radiofrequency radiation is associated with the results of studies. We conducted a systematic review of studies of controlled exposure to radiofrequency radiation with health-related outcomes (electroencephalogram, cognitive or cardiovascular function, hormone levels, symptoms, and subjective well-being).

Data sources: We searched EMBASE, Medline, and a specialist database in February 2005 and scrutinized reference lists from relevant publications.

Data extraction: Data on the source of funding, study design, methodologic quality, and other study characteristics were extracted. The primary outcome was the reporting of at least one statistically significant association between the exposure and a health-related outcome. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models.

Data synthesis: Of 59 studies, 12 (20%) were funded exclusively by the telecommunications industry, 11 (19%) were funded by public agencies or charities, 14 (24%) had mixed funding (including industry), and in 22 (37%) the source of funding was not reported. Studies funded exclusively by industry reported the largest number of outcomes, but were least likely to report a statistically significant result: The odds ratio was 0.11 (95% confidence interval, 0.02–0.78), compared with studies funded by public agencies or charities. This finding was not materially altered in analyses adjusted for the number of outcomes reported, study quality, and other factors.

Conclusions: The interpretation of results from studies of health effects of radiofrequency radiation should take sponsorship into account.

Key words: electromagnetic fields, financial conflicts of interest, human laboratory studies, mobile phones. Environ Health Perspect 115:1–4 (2007). [Online 15 September 2006]

Address correspondence to M. Egger, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Finkenhubelweg 11, University of Berne, Switzerland. Telephone: 41-31-631-35-01. Fax: 41-31-631-35-20. E-mail: egger@ispm.unibe.ch

Supplemental Material is available online at http://www.ehponline.org/members/2006/9149/supplemental.pdf

This study was funded by intramural funds of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Berne, Switzerland.

The authors declare they have no competing financial interests.

Received 7 March 2006; accepted 15 September 2006.