Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM): Age 70

ULSAM started as a health investigation, focused at identifying metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease, to which all 50 year-old men living in Uppsala in 1970 were invited. Of these, 82% (2322 men) participated in the investigation. The men were thereafter investigated again at ages 60, 70, 77, 82, 88 and 93 years. In the 93 years investigation, which was completed in spring 2015, even spouses to the men from original cohort have participated. ULSAM is focused on several areas with a wide range of phenotypes collected. These areas include glucose and insulin metabolism, blood pressure, anthropometry, lipids and fatty acid composition, diet, cognitive function, socio-economic factors, heredity, medical history, and common risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In the latest investigation we are particularly focusing on the factors leading to healthy ageing. The longitudinal design of the study contributes to the collection of the same (or similar) phenotypes at several points in time. The loss of follow up end points is very low due to yearly matching with official cause-of-death and hospital discharge registries. Very important research area in ULSAM is analysis of genetic factors affecting common diseases. We have DNA samples available from more than 1200 men. Using modern genotyping technologies, these samples have been analyzed for over 2.5 million SNPs. We are also planning to perform whole genome sequencing for all individuals with DNA samples available. Large number of researchers are using ULSAM data in their studies. ULSAM is involved in several international collaborations as well. Over 300 articles have been published from ULSAM initiation in 1970 and at least 30 doctoral theses explored data collected in our study. Purpose: The aim of Uppsala Study of Adult Men (ULSAM) is to investigate the risk factors for common diseases, including biochemical markers, variations in the genome and life style factors.