The UK Biobank is a cohort comprising ∼500,000 individuals recruited through the NHS registry at age 40–69 from across the UK. Individuals were were not selected on the basis of having disease, resulting in a broad cross-section of the UK population. For all participants, a number of baseline physical measurements were taken and an extensive questionnaire completed comprising information on lifestyle, demographic and socioeconomic factors. Additionally, blood and urine samples were collected and further tests including a heel-bone ultrasound, bio-impedance, hand-grip strength, spirometry, blood pressure and several cognitive tests were performed. Each individual was further genotyped and exome sequenced. The participants also agreed to ongoing linkage of their medical records [10 (link)].
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