The FINRISK study
FINRISK:
The FINRISK study is a series of population-based cardiovascular risk factor surveys carried out every five years in five (or six in 2002) districts of Finland, including North Karelia, Northern Savo (former Kuopio), Southwestern Finland, Oulu Province, Lapland province (in 2002 only) and the region of Helsinki and Vantaa. A stratified random sample was drawn for each survey from the national population register, the age-range was 25-74 years. All individuals enrolled in the study received a physical examination, a self-administered questionnaire, and a blood sample was drawn. In 1997, altogether 11,500 individuals were invited and 8,444 (73%) participated in the clinical examination. Approximately 8,000 individuals participated in 2002 and 6,000 in 2007. During follow-up the National Hospital Discharge Register, the National Causes of Death Register and the National Drug Reimbursement Register were used to identify endpoints. At the moment, the follow-up extends until Dec. 31st, 2010, i.e., 14 years for the FINRISK 1997 cohort. The Coordinating Ethics Committee of the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District approved the study, which followed the declaration of Helsinki. All subjects gave written informed consent.
http://www.thl.fi/publications/morgam/cohorts/full/finland/fin-fina.htm
