The Study of Men Born in 1943 - A Longitudinal Cohort Study From Middle-Age and Onward

In January 1993 a random sample of half of all men born in 1943 and living in the city of Gothenburg, Sweden, was selected and invited to participate a longitudinal observational cohort study. Out of 1463 invited men, 798 (54.5%) accepted the invitation and were examined for 1st time between February 1993 and June 1994. All participants, at 50 years of age, underwent a physical examination including anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and ECG. Several questionaires about previous diseases, life style, physical stress, family history, medications, symptoms and psychosocial factors were included. Blood samples were drawn from an antecubital vein after a nights fast. Basal laboratory analysis were performed. In addition several samples of whole blood, serum and plasma were stored in a freezer (-80○ Celsius) for later analysis.

In 2003, at 60 years of age, a 2nd examination was performed with similar methodology and examination´s. At this time 655 of the original 798 men participated.

A 3rd examination was performed between May 2014 and December 2014. In addition to physical examinations, questionnaires and laboratory analysis an echocardiographic examination, a sleep recording, screening for atrial fibrillation with thumb-EKG and investigation with Arteriography was added.

Echocardiographic examinations were performed by experienced cardiologist in accordance with clinical routine using ultrasound system (Vivid 7 Dimension, GE Medical systems, Horten, Norway), together with commercially available analysis software (GE Vingmed Ultrasound EchoPAC PC, General Electric Healthcare, Little Chalfont, UK) and in agreement with ESC guideline for echocardiography EAE recommendations.

The sleep recording was conducted for one night in the patients home using Apnélink, Apnélink plus or Apnélink air. All participants also answered the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and the functional outcome of sleep questionnaire (FOSQ).