The Longitudinal Study of Gender Differences in Health Behaviour and Health among Elderly (GENDER) is a study of unlike-sex twin pairs born between 1906 and 1925 (Gold et al., 2002).

Sub-studies:
• A survey concerning health and health behaviors was mailed in 1994 with responses from 1210 twins from 605 pairs where both responded. Mean age at baseline assessment was 74.43 years (SD 4.28) and all were Caucasians.
• A baseline in-person evaluation of 498 twins from 249 pairs between 70 and 80 years of age was undertaken between 1995 and 1997, and included an interview and tests of cognitive and physical functioning.
• Two additional in-person waves followed at four-year intervals (1999-2001 and 2003-2005).
• Finally, a second survey was mailed in 2007 to all living twins who participated in the first mailed survey.

The main interest of the study was gender differences in health and health behaviors in old age.

Questions about subjective health, use of healthcare, and behaviors and attitudes related to health, perceived ADL capacity, personality and social networks, formal and informal care etc. are available. Measures of grip-strength, vital capacity, blood pressure, a number of exercises related to muscle strength and balance, and cognitive functions are available. Blood values and genotyping are also available. Show less..

Data contains personal data

Yes

Sensitive personal data

Yes

Type of personal data

Pseudonymised health data

Code key exists

Yes

Language

English

Swedish

Method and outcome

Unit of analysis

Individual/Patient

Population

Opposite-sex twins born between 1906 and 1925 and living in Sweden in 1994.

Time Method

Longitudinal: Panel

Study design

Observational study

Cohort study

Cohort study: Prospective

Description of study design

A pilot study in the form of a survey was conducted in 1994. A baseline in-person evaluation of 498 twins from 249 pairs between 70 and 80 years of age was undertaken between 1995 and 1997. Two additional in-person waves followed at four-year intervals. Finally, a second survey was mailed in 2007 to all living twins who participated in the first mailed survey.

1994: 418 variables
1995-1997: 841 variables
1999-2001: 891 variables
2003-2005: 881 variables
2007: 315 variables

Sampling procedure

Other

Opposite-sex twin pairs born between 1906 and 1925 were identified in the Swedish Twin Registry and invited to participate in the study.

Time period(s) investigated

1994 – 2007

Biobank is connected to the study

The study has collected samples/material which are stored in a scientific collection or biobank

Scientific collection or biobank name: GENDER

Type(s) of sample: Blood tests

Data format / data structure

Numeric

Text

Data collection

Data collection 1

Mode of collection: Self-administered questionnaire
Description of the mode of collection: A postal survey was sent in 1994 to unlike sex twin pairs aged 70-80 identified from the Swedish Twin Registry. Questions about subjective health, medicine consumption and behaviors and attitudes related to health, perceived ADL capacity, personality and social networks, formal and informal care etc. are available.
Time period(s) for data collection: 1994 – 1994
Number of responses: 1210
Source of the data: Population group

Data collection 2

Mode of collection: Interview
Description of the mode of collection: Interview and tests of cognitive and physical functioning.
Time period(s) for data collection: 1995 – 1997
Instrument: Interview and tests of cognitive and physical functioning.
Number of responses: 498
Source of the data: Population group

Data collection 3

Mode of collection: Interview
Description of the mode of collection: Interview and tests of cognitive and physical function
Time period(s) for data collection: 1999 – 2001
Number of responses: 498
Source of the data: Population group

Data collection 1

Mode of collection: Self-administered questionnaire
Description of the mode of collection: A postal survey was sent in 1994 to unlike sex twin pairs aged 70-80 identified from the Swedish Twin Registry. Questions about subjective health, medicine consumption and behaviors and attitudes related to health, perceived ADL capacity, personality and social networks, formal and informal care etc. are available.
Time period(s) for data collection: 1994 – 1994
Number of responses: 1210
Source of the data: Population group

Data collection 2

Mode of collection: Interview
Description of the mode of collection: Interview and tests of cognitive and physical functioning.
Time period(s) for data collection: 1995 – 1997
Instrument: Interview and tests of cognitive and physical functioning.
Number of responses: 498
Source of the data: Population group

Data collection 3

Mode of collection: Interview
Description of the mode of collection: Interview and tests of cognitive and physical function
Time period(s) for data collection: 1999 – 2001
Number of responses: 498
Source of the data: Population group

Data collection 4

Mode of collection: Interview
Description of the mode of collection: Interview and tests of cognitive and physical function.
Time period(s) for data collection: 2003 – 2005
Number of responses: 306
Source of the data: Population group

Data collection 5

Mode of collection: Self-administered questionnaire
Time period(s) for data collection: 2007 – 2007
Number of responses: 356
Source of the data: Population group

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Geographic coverage

Geographic spread

Geographic location: Sweden

Geographic description: All counties in Sweden

Administrative information

Responsible department/unit

College of Health and Welfare

Funding 1

Funding agency: FNR through SFR

Funding 2

Funding agency: FAS (currently FORTE)

Funding 3

Funding agency: Axel and Margaret Ax:son Johnson foundation

Funding 4

Funding agency: The MacArthur Foundation

Funding 5

Funding agency: King Gustav V's memorial fund

Ethics Review

Swedish Ethical Review Authority - Ref. 2021-02095

Topic and keywords

Research area

Other (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Elderly (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Public health, global health, social medicine and epidemiology (Standard för svensk indelning av forskningsämnen 2011)

Psychology (Standard för svensk indelning av forskningsämnen 2011)

Gender studies (Standard för svensk indelning av forskningsämnen 2011)

Demography (population, vital statistics, and censuses) (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Health (CESSDA Topic Classification)

General health and well-being (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Health care services and policies (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Gender and gender roles (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Psychology (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Keywords

Ageing, Health, Sex, Well-being (health), Near- national e-infrastructure for aging research, Twins, Lifestyle, Functioning

Publications

Gold, C. H., Malmberg, B., McClearn, G. E., Pedersen, N. L., & Berg, S. (2002). Gender and health: A study of older unlike-sex twins. Journals of Gerontology: Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 57B, S168-S176.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/57.3.s168

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