The cohort is population-based and consists of blood and data from primarily 40, 50 and 60 year olds, taken every year in this age group in connection with the Västerbotten health surveys from 1985 - present. About half of the individuals have donated blood samples on two or more occasions.

The database is administered by the Department of Biobank Research at Umeå University. The biobank samples are handled by Biobanken Norr, Västerbotten County Council. The blood samples consist primarily of EDTA and heparin blood samples divided into plasma, erythrocyte concentrate and buffy coat and for a certain percentage, DNA is extracted. A large part is fasting samples.

Survey data concerning health-related lifestyle factors, e.g. smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, socioeconomic status and self-perceived health can be linked to the blood samples, and a number of user tables have been created. The database Northern Sweden Diet Database consists of survey data from VIP concerning nutritional factors. The database can be linked to a number of disease registries, e.g. for diabetes, cardio

Data contains personal data

Yes

Sensitive personal data

Yes

Code key exists

Yes

Method and outcome

Unit of analysis

Individual

Population

Individuals between 30 and 60 years of age. Equal parts men and women.

Time Method

Longitudinal: Cohort/Event-based

Sampling procedure

Total universe/Complete enumeration

Each year all subjects who become 40, 50 or 60 years and some 30 year olds and belong to the list for a specific primary care centre or live within the area for that centre are identified by the County Council administrative staff, which have access to the national population register. This information is given to each health centre that, in turn, invites the participants to the health examination.

Time period(s) investigated

1985 – Ongoing

Biobank is connected to the study

Yes

Data format / data structure

Numeric

Other

Data collection

Data collection 1