LifeGene Project

The objective of LifeGene is to develop a prospective, population-based cohort that is a resource for research in biomedicine as well as behavioural and social sciences. Study features include:
  • Ascertaining a cohort of at least 100,000 Swedes, including households;
  • Repeated assessment of in depth exposure and outcome information through electronic means;
  • Linkage with all available sources of medical record information (inpatient registry, cancer registry, and when possible, through primary care records);
  • Collection of DNA and serum/plasma from all members of the cohort at initiation;
  • Collection of other tissues (whole blood, serum/plasma, CSF, skin biopsies, etc.) as specific research questions dictate.

Overview

Acronym
LifeGene
Website
LifeGene
Investigators
Prof. Nancy Pedersen
Karolinska Institutet
Contacts
Prof. Nancy Pedersen
Karolinska Institutet
Kicki Kjaergaard
Karolinska Institutet

General Design

Study design
Cohort
Start - End Year
2009 -
General Information on Follow Up (profile, frequency)
Following baseline, participants and their family are prompted annually to respond a short, web-based questionnaire.
Recruitment Target
  • Individuals
  • Families
Number of Participants
100,000
Number of Participants with Biological Samples
50,000

Access

Availability of data and biosamples

Possible Access to Data
Possible Access to Biosamples
Other

Marker Paper

Almqvist C, Adami HO, Franks PW, Groop L, Ingelsson E, Kere J, Lissner L, Litton JE, Maeurer M, Michaëlsson K, Palmgren J, Pershagen G, Ploner A, Sullivan PF, Tybring G, Pedersen NL. LifeGene--a large prospective population-based study of global relevance. European Journal of Epidemiology. 2011; 26(1): 67-77.

PUBMED 21104112

Timeline

Populations

LifeGene - Adults
Index participants recruited to the study are Swedish men and women, aged 18 to 50 years at the time of recruitment. These participants in turn may invite family members. Adults of any age may volunteer. Hence the age range is 0-95.

Selection Criteria

Minimum age
18
Countries
  • Sweden
Supplementary Information about selection criteria
The minimum age is for index participants, who in turn may invite family/members of their household, including children 0-18 years. Adults of any age may participate, however initial focus was on ages 18-50.

Sources of Recruitment

General Population
  • Volunteer enrolment
  • Selected sample
Supplementary Information
Index participants were randomly sampled from the general population from the supplier of addresses; SPAR or Skatteverket. Other persons interested in participating have the possibility to spontaneously register from the LifeGene website.

Sample Size

Number of Participants
100,000
Number of Participants with Biological Samples
50,000
Supplementary information about number of participants
The number of participants is continuing to be accrued.

Data Collection Events

# Name Data sources Data sources - Biosamples Start End
0 LifeGene - Adults - Baseline
  • Questionnaires
  • Physical measures
  • Biosamples
  • Blood
  • Urine
2009 (September) 2016 (December)
1 LifeGene - Adults - Follow-up 1
  • Questionnaires
2010 (November) 2016 (December)
2 LifeGene - Adults - Follow-up 2
  • Questionnaires
2011 (November) 2016 (December)
3 LifeGene - Adults - Follow-up 3
  • Questionnaires
2013 (November) 2016 (December)
4 LifeGene - Adults - Follow-up 4
  • Questionnaires
2014 (November) 2016 (December)
LifeGene - Children
Participants are the children of the adults enrolled in the study.

Selection Criteria

Maximum age
18
Countries
  • Sweden

Sources of Recruitment

Specific Population
  • Other specific population : Children of the adults recruited
Supplementary Information
These are the children of the adult participants.

Sample Size

Number of Participants
No Limit
Supplementary information about number of participants
Collection is ongoing

Data Collection Events

# Name Data sources Data sources - Biosamples Start End
0 LifeGene - Children - Baseline
  • Questionnaires
  • Physical measures
  • Biosamples
  • Blood
  • Urine
2009 (September) 2016 (December)
1 LifeGene - Children - Follow-up 1
  • Questionnaires
2011 (November) 2016 (December)
2 LifeGene - Children - Follow-up 2
  • Questionnaires
2012 (November) 2016 (December)

Participating Studies

Acronym Name Study design Countries

Harmonization Initiatives Included

Acronym Name

Datasets

Name Data Collection Events Variables

Areas of Information Collected

Socio-demographic and economic characteristics
Death
Lifestyle and behaviours
Physical measures and assessments
Birth, pregnancy and reproductive health history
Laboratory measures
Perception of health, quality of life, development and functional limitations
Cognition, personality and psychological measures and assessments
Diseases
Life events, life plans, beliefs and values
Symptoms and signs
Preschool, school and work life
Medication and supplements
Social environment and relationships
Non-pharmacological interventions
Physical environment
Health and community care services utilization
Administrative information

Variables Content Summary

Areas of Information Collected
No Areas of Information Collected
No Scales Collected
Areas of Information Collected per per Population and Data Collection Event
No Areas of Information Collected
No Scales Collected

Networks

Acronym Name Harmonization Initiatives Individual Studies
Last Update: 2020-02-05T11:07:48.092