Prospective Population Study of Women in Göteborg

Summary

Systematic sample based on birth date. In 1968-1969, a representative sample of 1,622 women living in Gothenburg, Sweden, was invited to a free health examination. A total of 1,462 women, aged 38, 46, 50, 54, and 60 (90.1%), accepted the invitation and participated in the Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg (PSWG) In 1980-1981, a follow-up examination was conducted (participation rate 78.9%). The study also provides good opportunities to analyse health, gender and longevity in a life-course perspective. The study covers both longitudinal trends (change in individuals over time) and secular trends (changes in the population over time). This implies the possibility to study e.g. whether the increased consumption of oestrogenic hormones and new antidepressive agents in the population has influenced the occurrence of cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression and the proportion that are under treatment. The long-running follow-up has also made it possible to study the long term prognosis for these diseases and whether the risk for prolonged illness increases with older age. In addition, women from different birth cohorts are examined at certain ages to investigate secular trends in health related variables, such as obesity and dental health. The questionnaires have been changed as little as possible between each survey.

Type of data

Data Source
Registry + Survey

Type of Study
Survey same
Crosssection regular

Data gathering method
Face-to-face
Registries
Self administered questionnaire
Other: medical examination/social information, etc. Measurement data: Physical measurements Survey data: Independent surveys Measurement data: Biological measurements

Access to data

Conditions of access
Access primarily through research collaborations. Mainly downloaded files.

Type of available data (e.g. anonymised microdata, aggregated tables, etc.)
Primarily . anonymised microdata and aggregated tables, etc.

Formats available
The dataset is compatible to common applications such as Excel, SAS, SPSS, Text, etc.

Coverage

Coverage Years of collection, reference years, and sample sizes
Datasets: 001 PPSW - Prospective Population Study of Women in Göteborg 1968 2,037 variables. 1,462 cases. 90% response frequency. 1968 - 1969 (Clinical examination) 1968 - 1969 (Self-completed questionnaire) 1968 - 1969 (Interview: Face-to-face) 002 PPSW - Prospective Population Study of Women in Göteborg 19 760 variables. 1,302 cases. 89% response frequency. 1974 - 1975 (Self-completed questionnaire: Paper/pencil) 1974 - 1975 (Clinical examination) 1974 - 1975 (Interview: Face-to-face)

First year of collection
1968

Stratification if applicable
Middle aged women were examined within the PPSW (Prospective population study of women) in 1968 and followed continuously with the most recent follow-up carried out in 2009-2010. Extensive examinations of medical records extending back to the 1920s and registry data are done continuously to track new cases and also to identify cases in early life. This gives the opportunity to measure life-time frequency of mental disorders, as well as predictors, risk factors and long-term prognosis of these disorders.

Base used for sampling

Geographical coverage and breakdowns
Gothenburg area

Age range
Representative sample of women living in Gothenburg aged 38, 46, 50, 54 and 60 years.

Statistical representativeness
Regional representative, please specify

Coverage of main and cross-cutting topics
The purpose of this study was initially to investigate anemia and health factors related to menopause, but has later also included examination of determinants among middle age women that have importance for the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia and other mental illness in high age.

Linkage

Standardisation
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM by American Psychiatric Association and other medical taxonomies. ADL-models also used.

Possibility of linkage among databases
The population study of women in Gothenburg is also collaborating with the H-70 study which started in 1971 as a cross-sectional study of men and women in Gothenburg aged 70 years.

Data quality

Entry errors if applicable
No major entry errors.

Breaks
Two new age groups, aged 26 and 38 in 1980-1981, were recruited, with the purpose of conducting cross-sectional comparisons over time. Also, women born in 1930, who moved to Gothenburg between 1969 and 1980 and belonged to the same date of birth as the original cohort, were invited to the 1980-1981 examination, which implied that 50-, 38- and 26-year-old women examined in 1980-1981 were representative of the female population in Gothenburg in 1980-1981. Follow-up examinations were also conducted in 1992-1993 (participation rate 70.1%), when two of the cohorts were 38 or 50. Further follow-up examinations were made in 2004-2005 and 2009-2010.

Consistency of terminology or coding used during collection
High level of consistency.

Governance

Contact information
Lauren Lissner / Department of Public Health and Community Medicine
University of Gothenburg
Box 414
405 30 Göteborg Sweden Phone: 031 7866847; 0708 207343
Email: Lauren.Lissner(at)medfak.gu.se
Url: http://snd.gu.se/en/catalogue/study/604

Timeliness, transparency
Between two/four months and one year.