Ageing in Women and Men: A Longitudinal Study of Gender Differences in Health Behaviour and Health among Elderly (GENDER) - IPT3: interview, cognitive and physical functioning, 2003-2005
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). 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.
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.
Study Reference:
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.
Questions about subjective health, medication consumption and behaviors and attitudes related to health, perceived ADL capacity, personality and social networks, formal and informal care, etc. are available. Furthermore, measures of grip strength, vital capacity, blood pressure, a number of exercises related to muscle strength and balance as well as cognitive functions are available. Blood counts and genotyping are also available.
Citation and access
Citation and access
Data access level:
Creator/Principal investigator(s):
Research principal:
Data contains personal data:
Yes
Type of personal data:
Pseudonymised health data
Code key exists:
Yes
Sensitive personal data:
Yes
Citation:
Method and outcome
Method and outcome
Unit of analysis:
Population:
Opposite-sex twins born between 1906 and 1925 and living in Sweden in 1994
Time method:
Study design:
- Observational study
- Cohort study
- Cohort study: Prospective
Description of study design:
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.
Sampling procedure:
Description of sampling:
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:
Variables:
881
Number of individuals/objects:
306
Samples/material - Collected from scientific collection/biobank
Samples/material - Collected from scientific collection/biobank
Name:
GENDER
Type(s) of sample:
Blood tests
Data collection - Interview
Data collection - Interview
Mode of collection:
Interview
Time period(s) for data collection:
2003 - 2005
Sample size:
306
Source of the data:
- Population group
Instrument
Instrument
Name:
Description of the instrument:
Interview and tests of cognitive and physical function.
Geographic coverage
Geographic coverage
Geographic location:
Geographic description:
All counties in Sweden
Administrative information
Administrative information
Responsible department/unit:
College of Health and Welfare
Ethics Review:
Swedish Ethical Review Authority - 2021-02095
Funding
Funding
Funding agency:
- FAS (currently FORTE)
Funding agency:
- King Gustav V's memorial fund
Funding agency:
- Axel and Margaret Ax:son Johnson foundation
Funding agency:
- FNR through SFR
Funding agency:
- The MacArthur Foundation
Topic and keywords
Topic and keywords
CESSDA Topic Classification:
Standard för svensk indelning av forskningsämnen 2025:
Publications
Publications
Citation:
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.
