LAUSR

AimTo measure the association between mobile phone usage and hypertension among adults.Subject and methodsThis community-based case control study was conducted in the urban field practice area of a medical college in Puducherry, India. Individuals with average BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg on three readings or hypertension diagnosed within the past year were defined as cases. Controls were individuals with average BP ≤ 130/85 mmHg on three readings. Fifty cases and 50 controls were matched for age and gender and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was employed to calculate the adjusted odds ratios. Paired t test and chi-square tests were done to measure the p value.ResultsMost of the study participants knew how to use the calling facility on their mobile phones, whereas only two-thirds of them were able to use the SMS facility. Only one-third owned a smartphone. The risk of hypertension was six times higher among those who had been using a mobile phone for more than 8 years [adjusted odds ratio 6.2 (1.6–23.8)] and four times higher among those who used the calling facility for more than 60 min per day [adjusted odds ratio 4.2 (1.1–16.7)].ConclusionThere was a significant positive association between hypertension and duration of mobile phone usage. However, further studies are required to confirm our findings.