Baseline data was collected from 1999-2000, with tracking of the cohort continuing to date. The fifth phase of data collection for the study will be completed in 2017.
A team of three specially trained nurses administered the baseline questionnaires, conducted face to face interviews and conducted a medical examination which included taking a blood sample.
Questionnaire data

4286 women completed the baseline questionnaires between 1999 and 2000. Follow up self completed questionnaires were posted to participants in 2003, 2007 and 2010.
Interview data
3995 women attended the nurses interview at baseline covering current health, diagnosed diseases, disability, cardiovascular and respiratory symptoms, medication, smoking and alcohol use, physical activity, diet, social background and family history.
Examination data
3995 women attended the baseline physical examination providing the clinical measurements height, weight, blood pressure, lung function and a resting electrocardiogram (ECG).
Blood samples

3923 women provided blood samples during the medical examination. These were taken after fasting with each sample split for haematology, biochemistry and storage for future analysis. DNA was also extracted from samples for genotyping.
Activity Diary
As part of the 2010 follow up, participants were asked to wear an Actigraph, an activity monitor that recorded physical activity for a week. 1041 women took part in providing this information.
Timeline & links to questionnaires
The table below shows the time line of the study with links to the data collected from each stage of the study.
Wave of Study | Year | Data Collected | Links |
Baseline (W1) | 1999-2000 | Self-completed Questionnaire | |
Baseline (W1) | 1999-2000 | Nurses Interview | |
Baseline (W1) | 1999-2000 | Nurses Examination | |
RR1 | 1999-2000 | GP Medical Record Review | Record Review |
RR2 | 2002 | GP Medical Record Review | Record Review |
W2 | 2003 | Self-completed Questionnaire | |
RR3 | 2004 | GP Medical Record Review | Record Review |
W3 | 2007 | Self-completed Questionnaire | |
RR4 | 2007 | GP Medical Record Review | Record Review |
W4 | 2010-2011 | Self-completed Questionnaire | |
W4 | 2010-2011 | Activity Diary | |
RR5 | 2011-2012 | GP Medical Record Review | Record Review |
RR6 | 2016-2017 | GP Medical Record Review | Record Review |