Northern Sweden Health and Disease Study (NSHDS)

Three population-based databases with prospective, and in many cases repeated blood samples and questionnaires from >100 000 participants in Northern Sweden.

NSHDS (Northern Sweden Health and Disease Study) is an umbrella term for a prospective biobank with related survey data. The sample collection consists of three subcohorts, VIP, MA and MO.

The Department of Biobank Research, Umeå University provides service to scientists who wish to use this resource for research.

VIP - Västerbotten Intervention Project

The cohort is population-based and consists of blood and data from primarily 40, 50 and 60 year olds, taken every year in this age group in connection with the Västerbotten health surveys from 1985 - present.

The blood samples consist primarily of EDTA and heparin blood samples divided into plasma, erythrocyte concentrate and buffy coat and for a certain percentage, the DNA is extracted.

Survey data concerning health-related lifestyle factors can be linked to the blood samples, and a number of user tables have been created.
The database NSDD consists of survey data from VIP concerning nutritional factors.

Individuals: 98,300
Individuals with repeated samples: 36,100
Sampling occasions: 141,000 (March 2015)

MA - Mammography Screening Project

Samples and data are collected in connection with mammography screenings from 1995-2006. The blood samples consist primarily of EDTA and heparin blood samples divided into plasma, erythrocyte concentrate and buffy coat and for a certain percentage, the DNA is also extracted. The cohort consists of women, 18-82 years old (95% between 48 and 70 years old).

The survey data can be linked to the blood samples.

Individuals: 28,800
Individuals with repeated samples: 14,600
Sampling occasions: 54,000

MO - The Northern Swedish MONICA Project (MONICA - Multinational Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease)

The MONICA study is a longitudinal population-based database for research in cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Since 1985, seven screenings has been performed (1986, 1990, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014) of a randomized selection of the population in the counties of Västerbotten and Norrbotten in Northern Sweden.

Individuals: 11,800
Individuals with repeated samples: 3,500
Sampling occasions: 15,300 (March 2015)

Related infrastructures for different diseases are available. Contact the Department of Biobank Research for more information.

The service is open for both national and international research. All proposals undergo scientific review in an Expert Group at the Department of Biobank Research. An ethical approval is required. The price list for the handling of samples is found on the website of Biobanken Norr http://www.vll.se/default.aspx?id=65869&refid=65870, and the fee for administration is discussed with the Department of Biobank Research.

Åsa Ågren, asa.agren@umu.se