The Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (SATSA) is a longitudinal study where the twin design and the inclusion of twins reared apart makes it possible to study the importance of genetic and environmental factors that may underlie differing aging outcomes. The baseline population consists of all twins from the Swedish Twin Registry (STR) who had been reared apart (TRA), i.e. separated before age of 11 and reared apart, and a control sample of twins reared together (TRT) matched on sex, date of birth, and county of birth.

SATSA started with a survey in 1984 where a questionnaire was sent to all surviving individuals (n=2845). Out of these 2018 responded (71%). Questionnaire data have been collected at nine waves with approximately three-year intervals over a total of 28 years.

A subset of the individuals in SATSA where both twins still were alive, >50 years of age, and had responded to the initial questionnaire, were included for an in-person testing (IPT), which involved cognitive tests and clinical examinations. The first IPT was conducted in 1986-88 where 645 individuals (303 pairs) were tested. Data on 859 individuals have been collected for up to ten waves with approximately three-year intervals over a total period of 28 years.

The aim of SATSA was to study the origins of individual differences in aging and the environmental and genetic factors that are involved.

• The SATSA questionnaires assessed physical and mental health status; selected personality dimensions; activities of daily living; health-related behaviors of smoking, alcohol consumption and legal drug use; early rearing environment, and the adult working, family and social environments. For the TRA subjects, circumstances of separation were also explored.

The IPT included interviews, a health examination including blood pressure and lung function, blood sampling, and tests on functional capacity, cognitive abilities, and memory.

• Physical measures included: blood pressure, pulse, anthropometric measures, lung function, grip strength, physical performances measures for upper and lower body functional activity, and assessment of activities of daily living measures (e.g. turn key in lock, pour a glass of water). In addition, one series of tests was included to determine possible impairment of the cranial nerves. Fasting blood and morning urine samples were also collected.

• The cognitive battery was designed to represent the domains of crystallized and fluid intelligence and memory. The battery included the Mini-Mental Status Examinations (MMSE); Information test, Synonyms test, Analogies test, Figure logic test, Block design test, Card rotation test, Digit span (Forward and Backward) test, Picture memory test, Names and faces test, Symbol Digit test, and Figure identification test. Dementia diagnoses have been assigned following assessment of cognitive performance and review of medical records giving a consensus diagnosis.

The SATSA questionnaires assessed physical and mental health status; selected personality dimensions; activities of daily living; health-related behaviors of smoking, alcohol consumption and legal drug use; early rearing environment, and the adult working, family and social environments. For the TRA subjects, circumstances of separation were also explored.

The IPT included interviews, a health examination including blood pressure and lung function, blood sampling, and tests on functional capacity, cognitive abilities, and memory.

Physical measures included: blood pressure, pulse, anthropometric measures, lung function, grip strength, physical performances measures for upper and lower body functional activity, and assessment of activities of daily living measures (e.g. turn key in lock, pour a glass of water). In addition, one series of tests was included to determine possible impairment of the cranial nerves. Fasting blood and morning urine samples were also collected.

The cognitive battery was designed to represent the domains of crystallized and fluid intelligence and memory. The battery included the Mini-Mental Status Examinations (MMSE); Information test, Synonyms test, Analogies test, Figure logic test, Block design test, Card rotation test, Digit span (Forward and Backward) test, Picture memory test, Names and faces test, Symbol Digit test, and Figure identification test. Dementia diagnoses have been assigned following assessment of cognitive performance and review of medical records giving a consensus diagnosis.The first 6 questionnaires and the first 7 testing waves are archived and available on the National Archive of Computerized Data on Aging Show less..

Data contains personal data

Yes

Sensitive personal data

Yes

Type of personal data

Pseudonymised data

Code key exists

Yes

Language

English

Swedish

Method and outcome

Unit of analysis

Individual

Family

Population

All twins in the Swedish Twin Registry who were separated at an early age and reared apart and a control sample of twins reared together

Study design

Observational study

Cohort study

Cohort study: Prospective

Sampling procedure

Other

Like-sexed twins in the Swedish Twin Registry reared apart, and a control sample of twins reared together matched on age, sex, and county of birth.

Time period(s) investigated

1984 – 2014

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: SATSA

Type(s) of sample: Blood tests

Variables

2274

Response rate/participation rate

71%

Response rate Q1

Data format / data structure

Numeric

Data collection

Data collection 1

Mode of collection: Self-administered questionnaire: paper
Time period(s) for data collection: 1984 – 1984

Data collection 2

Mode of collection: Measurements and tests
Time period(s) for data collection: 1986 – 1988

Data collection 3

Mode of collection: Self-administered questionnaire
Time period(s) for data collection: 1987 – 1987

Data collection 1

Mode of collection: Self-administered questionnaire: paper
Time period(s) for data collection: 1984 – 1984

Data collection 2

Mode of collection: Measurements and tests
Time period(s) for data collection: 1986 – 1988

Data collection 3

Mode of collection: Self-administered questionnaire
Time period(s) for data collection: 1987 – 1987

Data collection 4

Mode of collection: Measurements and tests
Time period(s) for data collection: 1989 – 1991

Data collection 5

Mode of collection: Self-administered questionnaire
Time period(s) for data collection: 1990 – 1990

Data collection 6

Mode of collection: Measurements and tests
Time period(s) for data collection: 1992 – 1994

Data collection 7

Mode of collection: Self-administered questionnaire
Time period(s) for data collection: 1993 – 1993

Data collection 8

Mode of collection: Interview
Time period(s) for data collection: 1995 – 1997

Data collection 9

Mode of collection: Measurements and tests
Time period(s) for data collection: 1999 – 2001

Data collection 10

Mode of collection: Measurements and tests
Time period(s) for data collection: 2002 – 2004

Data collection 11

Mode of collection: Self-administered questionnaire
Time period(s) for data collection: 2004 – 2004

Data collection 12

Mode of collection: Measurements and tests
Time period(s) for data collection: 2005 – 2007

Data collection 13

Mode of collection: Self-administered questionnaire
Time period(s) for data collection: 2007 – 2007

Data collection 14

Mode of collection: Measurements and tests
Time period(s) for data collection: 2008 – 2010

Data collection 15

Mode of collection: Measurements and tests
Time period(s) for data collection: 2010 – 2012

Data collection 16

Mode of collection: Self-administered questionnaire
Time period(s) for data collection: 2010 – 2010

Data collection 17

Mode of collection: Self-administered questionnaire
Time period(s) for data collection: 2012 – 2012

Data collection 18

Mode of collection: Measurements and tests
Time period(s) for data collection: 2012 – 2014

Data collection 19

Mode of collection: Self-administered questionnaire
Time period(s) for data collection: 2014 – 2014

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Geographic coverage

Geographic spread

Geographic location: Sweden

Administrative information

Responsible department/unit

Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Funding 1

Funding agency: 825-2007-7460
Funding agency's reference number: 825-2009-6141

Funding 2

Funding agency: The Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare
Funding agency's reference number: 97:0147:1B

Funding 3

Funding agency: The MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Successful Aging

Funding 4

Funding agency: National Institutes of Health
Funding agency's reference number: AG04563

Funding 5

Funding agency: National Institutes of Health
Funding agency's reference number: AG10175

Funding 1

Funding agency: 825-2007-7460
Funding agency's reference number: 825-2009-6141

Funding 2

Funding agency: The Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare
Funding agency's reference number: 97:0147:1B

Funding 3

Funding agency: The MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Successful Aging

Funding 4

Funding agency: National Institutes of Health
Funding agency's reference number: AG04563

Funding 5

Funding agency: National Institutes of Health
Funding agency's reference number: AG10175

Funding 6

Funding agency: The Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare
Funding agency's reference number: 2009-0795

Funding 7

Funding agency: Swedish Research Council
Funding agency's reference number: 825-2007-7460

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Ethics Review

Other - Ref. 80:80