Midlife in the United States (MIDUS 2): Biomarker Project, 2004-2009 (ICPSR 29282)

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These data are being released in BETA version to facilitate early access to the study for research purposes. This collection has not been fully processed by NACDA or ICPSR at this time; the original materials provided by the principal investigator were minimally processed and converted to other file types for ease of use. As the study is further processed and given enhanced features by ICPSR, users will be able to access the updated versions of the study. Please report any data errors or problems to user support and we will work with you to resolve any data related issues.

The Biomarker study is Project 4 of the MIDUS longitudinal study, a national survey of more than 7,000 Americans (aged 25 to 74) begun in 1994. The purpose of the larger study was to investigate the role of behavioral, psychological, and social factors in understanding age-related differences in physical and mental health. With support from the National Institute on Aging, a longitudinal follow-up of the original MIDUS samples [core sample (N = 3,487), metropolitan over-samples (N = 757), twins (N = 957 pairs), and siblings (N = 950)] was conducted in 2004-2006. Guiding hypotheses, at the most general level, were that behavioral and psychosocial factors are consequential for health (physical and mental). A description of the study and findings from it are available on the MIDUS Web site. The Biomarker Project (Project 4) of MIDUS II contains data from 1,255 respondents. These respondents include two distinct subsamples, all of whom completed the Project 1 Survey: (1) longitudinal survey sample (n = 1,054) and (2) Milwaukee sample (n = 201). The Milwaukee group contained individuals who participated in the baseline MIDUS Milwaukee study, initiated in 2005. The purpose of the Biomarker Project (Project 4) was to add comprehensive biological assessments on a subsample of MIDUS respondents, thus facilitating analyses that integrate behavioral and psychosocial factors with biology. The broad aim is to identify biopsychosocial pathways that contribute to diverse health outcomes. A further theme is to investigate protective roles that behavioral and psychosocial factors have in delaying morbidity and mortality, or in fostering resilience and recovery from health challenges once they occur. The research was not disease-specific, given that psychosocial factors have relevance across multiple health endpoints. Biomarker data collection was carried out at three General Clinical Research Centers (at UCLA, University of Wisconsin, and Georgetown University). The biomarkers reflect functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the autonomic nervous system, the immune system, cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, antioxidants, and metabolic processes. Our specimens (fasting blood draw, 12-hour urine, saliva) allow for assessment of multiple indicators within these major systems. The protocol also included assessments by clinicians or trained staff, including vital signs, morphology, functional capacities, bone densitometry, medication usage, and a physical exam. Project staff obtained indicators of heart-rate variability, beat to beat blood pressure, respiration, and salivary cortisol assessments during an experimental protocol that included both a cognitive and orthostatic challenge. Finally, to augment the self-reported data collected in Project 1, participants completed a medical history, self-administered questionnaire, and self-reported sleep assessments. For respondents at one site (UW-Madison), objective sleep assessments were also obtained with an Actiwatch(R) activity monitor.

The MIDUS and MIDJA Biomarker Clinic Visits include collection of comprehensive information about medications of all types, as well as basic information about allergic reactions to any type of medication. Respondents were instructed to bring all their medications, or information about their medications, to the clinic visit to ensure the information about those medications was recorded accurately. Information regarding Prescription Medications (FDA approved medications prescribed by someone authorized/licensed under the Western medical tradition, or medications prescribed by individuals authorized under Japanese law to prescribe Western and/or Eastern/Chinese traditional medicine), Quasi Medications (including Over the Counter Medications i.e. vitamins, minerals, non-prescription pain relief, antacids, etc. that can be purchased without a prescription) and Alternative Medications (i.e. herbs, herbal blends (excluding herbal teas), homeopathic remedies, and other alternative remedies that may be purchased over the counter or "prescribed" by a health care practitioner trained in a non-western tradition)was collected at this time.

The following information was collected for each medication type

After basic cleaning protocols were completed, standardized protocols were applied to both MIDUS and MIDJA medication data to link medications first to Generic Names and associated DrugIDs and then to therapeutic and pharmacologic class information from the Lexicomp Lexi-Data database, and also to code text data describing why participants think they are taking a given medication. The scope of this collected medication data lends itself to within person analysis of medication use, thus the medication data are also released in a standalone stacked format. The stacked file only contains data about medications used where each case represents an individual medication, thus it does not include any data about medication allergies.

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No geographic information is included other than for the Milwaukee cases.

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