STAGE - Study of Twin Adults: Genes and Environment

Between 2004 and 2006, the Swedish Twin Registry (STR) conducted a nationwide data collection targeting twins born in Sweden between 1959 and 1985. The purpose was to study the most common complex diseases and to measure exposures relevant during young adulthood and midlife. This was the first study within STR to use a web-based questionnaire as the primary method of data collection. The target population included both monozygotic and dizygotic twins, of both same-sex and opposite-sex pairs, provided that both twins had survived at least the first year of life. Approximately 43,000 individuals were contacted. Participants were invited to complete a web-based survey that included questions on, among other topics, common health problems, lifestyle habits, and environmental exposures, with a particular focus on tobacco use and smoking cessation behaviors. As a complement, participants were also offered the opportunity to complete the survey via telephone interview conducted by a trained interviewer. The overall response rate was approximately 60 percent, corresponding to just over 25,000 study participants. The following question areas are included: ADHD Alcohol Allergy and eczema Anxiety Arthritis Asthma Burnout CESD - Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Chronic fatigue Coffee and tea Depression Eating disorders Education and occupation Epilepsy EPQ - Eysenck Personality Questionnaire GWAS - Genotype data Headache IBS - irritable bowel syndrome Illicit drugs Impulsivity Incontinence/Interstitial cystitis Leadership Medical history Menstrual and reproductive history Nutrition OCD Pain Perfectionism Performance Personality disorder Physical activity Reflux Sexual risk behavior Sleep patterns Smoking and snuffing Stressful trauma TCI - Self-directedness Tics Tourette's Syndrome