Diabetes

The cohort diabetes (DM) dataset currently identifies cases of diabetes through cohort examination 27. The blood glucose (BG) data obtained is casual. Definite DM is defined as a BG of at least 200 mg/dl or DM treatment. Possible diabetes is defined as a BG of at least 140 mg/dl achieved twice or DM treatment. There are several limitations to this dataset. DM treatment was not systematically collected from exams 1-11. BG measured at exam 11 was measured after an OGTT. BG was not measured at exams 5, 7, 24, and 25. BG data from exam 12 was not included.

The offspring diabetes dataset currently identified cases of DM through offspring exam 7. The BG data is fasting. DM is defined as a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of at least 126 mg/dl or DM treatment. Fasting status is defined as fasting for at least 8 hours. Cases of DM from exams 1 and 2 were hand-curated based on detailed chart review.

In 1948, researchers recruited men and women from the town of Framingham, Massachusetts, beginning the first round of extensive physical examinations and lifestyle interviews that would later be analyzed for common patterns related to CVD development.

Initially, the Framingham Heart Study enrolled 5,209 men and women from the Framingham area who were between the ages of 28 and 62 years. Beginning in 1971, the Framingham Heart Study enrolled 5,124 men and women, who were either offspring of the original cohort or spouses of those offspring. In 2002, 4,095 third generation participants (men and women) were enrolled.

During each clinic exam cycle, the participants undergo a detailed examination including physical examination, medical history, laboratory testing, and electrocardiogram. Over the years, other tests (that may not be performed at every exam cycle) have included pulmonary function, lifestyle, physical function, cognitive function questionnaires, and various noninvasive cardiovascular tests including echocardiograms. The content of each exam cycle differs for Original, Offspring and Generation 3 cohorts and can be found in the Exam Cycle Protocol Manuals.

• Study Weblinks:
  • The Framingham Heart Study
• Study Design:
  • Prospective Longitudinal Cohort
• Study Type:
  • Longitudinal
• Total number of consented subjects: 10092
• Subject Sample Telemetry Report (SSTR)

Participants from the original cohort through Exam 27 were included. DM treatment was not systematically collected from exams 1-11. BG measured at exam 11 was measured after an OGTT. BG was not measured at exams 5, 7, 24, and 25. BG data from exam 12 was not included.

Cohort exam through Exam 27.
Offspring exam through Exam 7.

The Generation 1 (or Original) cohort Exam 1 took place between 1948 and 1953. Biennial exams have continued to the present. Exam 29 took place between 2006 and 2007. Exam 30 began in 2008.

The Generation 2 (or Offspring) cohort Exam 1 took place between 1971 and 1975. This cohort on average has been examined every three to four years. However, there was an eight year gap between Exam 1 and Exam 2 and a seven year gap between Exam 7 and Exam 8. Exam 8 took place between 2005 and 2008.

The Generation 3 cohort Exam 1 took place between 2002 and 2005. Exam 2 began in 2008.

The New Offspring Spouse cohort Exam 1 took place between 2003 and 2005. Exam 2 began in 2008.

• Primary Phenotype: Cardiovascular System
• Diabetes Mellitus

• Principal Investigator
  • Caroline S. Fox, MD, MPH. Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA.
• Institutions
  • National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
• Funding Source
  • Framingham Heart Study Core Contract. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.