W64 - Long Life Study (LLS)

Investigator Names and Contact Information

Andrea LaCroix (alacroix@ucsd.edu)

Introduction/Intent

7,875 WHI Extension II Study participants participated in the WHI Long Life Study (LLS). The LLS consisted of a one-time in-person visit (conducted between March 2012 and May 2013) with a blood draw, a brief clinical assessment, and an assessment of functional status.

Primary aims of the blood collection:

-1. Establish a repository of new baseline biospecimen on this cohort

-2. Replenish the WHI biospecimen resource for members of this cohort with a new source of good quality extracted DNA and RNA, plasma, serum, and RBCs for future standard clinical laboratory assays as well as cytokines, proteomics, metabolomics, and other assays that have yet to be imagined

-3. Obtain CBC and metabolic/CVD biomarker data

    1. CVD biomarkers: glucose, insulin, creatinine, CRP, HDL, LDL, triglyceride, cholesterol
    1. CBC: A total of 26 variables were reported, including hematocrit, hemoglobin, WBC/RBC/platelet counts, WBC differential (automated), numerous indices

Please see the Long Life Study page for more information on the Long Life Study.

Materials/Methods

The LLS appointment protocol included a blood draw (~31 ml): 8.5ml EDTA Plasma Separator Tube (PST; catalog # BD362799), 2ml EDTA (catalog # BD367841), 10ml EDTA (catalog # BD366443), 8.5 ml Serum Separator Tube (SST; catalog # BD367988), PAXgene (catalog # BD762165)

The PPT and SST were centrifuged by data collectors near the data collection site within two hours of the blood draw. All blood vials and corresponding data forms were shipped via FedEx priority overnight to arrive at the FHCRC Specimen Processing Lab (SPL) the next day. SPL processed the blood vials according to the LLS Blood Collection Protocol. Aliquots were frozen and shipped to the WHI Biorepository (Fisher Bioservices, Rockville, MD) for long term storage at -80 °C.

One of the serum aliquots for each participant was sent from the WHI Biorepository to the University of Minnesota Fairview ARDL Lab​ for CVD biomarker testing within approximately 6-12 months of the draw date.

The 2ml EDTA vial was delivered to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) hematology lab soon after receipt at SPL. The SCCA performed the CBC upon receipt.

Results

Of the 7,875 LLS participants, 7,325 (93%) have CVD biomarkers available (glucose, insulin, creatinine, CRP, HDL, LDL, triglyceride, cholesterol) and 7,406 (94%) have CBC data.

The WHI Lab Working Group (LWG) reviewed the blind duplicate data for the CVD Biomarkers and a comparison of the WHI clinic CBC data to the W64 CBC data. Both datasets were approved for release to the WHI investigator's dataset. The data is available Here for approved users.

Data Dictionaries and Study Documentation

This section displays all study-related data dictionaries and study-related files. The investigators for this study will upload the datasets, data dictionaries, and other study-related files. Study-related files will be made available to the public one year after the completion of the ancillary study, with the exception of the datasets, which will only be available to those with a Data Distribution Agreement. Those will be available to those with permission to download and will appear as a download link next to the data dictionary

Data Dictionaries

Name
Description
No results found

Study Documents

Related Papers

Dietary Intakes of Women's Health Initiative Long Life Study Participants Falls Short of the Dietary Reference Intakes

Jeannette Beasley et al., 2020/9 PubMed #32680817 MSID: 2261
Background: Understanding how nutrient intake in older women compares with recommendations is important. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics position statement summarizes the nutrient needs of older adults (aged =60 years) based on a systematic review. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare nutrient intake of Women's Health Initiative Long Life Study participants to the Dietary Reference Intakes for nutrients reviewed in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics position statement...
Keywords: Aging; Biomarker-Calibration; Energy And Protein; Dietary Reference Intakes; Long Life Study Participants
Related Studies: 340, W64

Leukocyte telomere dynamics: associations with cardiovascular aging and survival in the WHI Long Life Study

Approved Proposal, Aviv, Abraham et al., 2015/5 MSID: 2677
Keywords: Telomere Length; Telomere Attrition; Aging; Cardiovascular Disease; Mortality; Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors
Related Studies: BA25, W64, W66

Biomarker-calibrated protein intake and physical function measures in the WHI Long Life Study

Approved Proposal, Beasley, Jeannette et al., 2014/4 MSID: 2424
Keywords: Physical Function; Short Physical Performance Battery (Sppb); Protein; Measurement Error; Nutrition; Diet
Related Studies: 340, W64

Community-based objective metrics of mobility and their relation to falls in older women: WHI-OPACH study

Approved Proposal, Veerubhotla, Akhila et al., 2020/8 MSID: 4165
Keywords: Balance; Gait; Machine Learning; Fall-Prevention; Physical Activity
Related Studies: 286, W64

Trajectories of change in BMI and waist circumference and all-cause mortality in the Women’s Health Initiative Long Life Study

Approved Proposal, Banack, Hailey et al., 2019/2 MSID: 3818
Keywords: Obesity; Bmi; Abdominal Obesity; Cvd Risk; Longitudinal Trajectory
Related Studies: W64

Influence of brain aging on physical function in older, postmenopausal women

Approved Proposal, Wanigatunga, Amal et al., 2015/9 MSID: 2836
Keywords: Brain; Physical Function; Muscle Strength; Gray Matter; Imaging; Aging
Related Studies: 183, W64

The impact of weight change and measures of physical functioning on mortality

Approved Manuscript, Underland, Lisa et al., 2021/4 MSID: 3942
Keywords: Obesity; Metabolic Syndrome; Functional Status; Mortality
Related Studies: W64

Association of light physical activity measured by accelerometry and incidence of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease in older women

Andrea LaCroix et al., 2019/3 PubMed #30874775 MSID: 3552
Abstract Importance: To our knowledge, no studies have examined light physical activity (PA) measured by accelerometry and heart disease in older women. Objective: To investigate whether higher levels of light PA were associated with reduced risks of coronary heart disease (CHD) or cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older women. Design, Setting, and Participants: Prospective cohort study of older women from baseline (March 2012 to April 2014) through February 28, 2017, for up to 4.91 years. The set...
Keywords: Physical Activity; Accelerometry; Cardiovascular Disease; Coronary Heart Disease; Opach
Related Studies: 286, W64

Long-term ambient air pollution and renal function among postmenopausal women in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI)

Approved Proposal, Wang, Yi et al., 2017/5 MSID: 3362
Keywords: Air Pollution; Kidney Disease; Renal Function; Fine Particulate Matter; Ozone; Sulfur Dioxide; Nitrogen Dioxide; Carbon Monoxide
Related Studies: W64

Relationship of dairy food intake with grip strength and physical performance in postmenopausal women

Approved Proposal, Belury, Martha A. et al., 2016/12 MSID: 3249
Keywords: Grip Strength; Dynapenia; Protein; Dairy; Diet; Muscle; Sarcopenia
Related Studies: W64

Genetics of gene expression in African American women enrolled in the WHI Long Life Study

Approved Proposal, Montgomery, Stephen et al., 2016/2 MSID: 2955
Keywords: Gene Expression; Eqtl; Ancestry Inference; Regulatory Variation; Fine-Mapping; Functional Genomics
Related Studies: 518, W64

Which biological pathways govern motherhood-related Alzheimer’s Disease resilience

Approved Proposal, Fox, Molly et al., 2024/7 MSID: 5135
Keywords: Reproductive History; Gravidity; Breastfeeding; Alzheimer’S Disease; Neuroimaging; Proteomics; Biomarkers
Related Studies: 103, 183, 233, 244, 712, W64

Hypertension treatment and control and risk of falls in older women

Karen Margolis et al., 2019/1 PubMed #30614525 MSID: 2673
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A lower risk of falls is commonly cited as a reason to treat hypertension conservatively in older individuals. We examined the effect of hypertension treatment and control status and measured blood pressure (BP) level on the risk of falls in older women. DESIGN/SETTING: Prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 5971 women (mean age 79 years; 50.4% white, 33.1% black, 16.5% Hispanic/Latina) enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative and Objective Physical Activity a...
Keywords: Hypertension; Antihypertensive; Blood Pressure; Falls
Related Studies: 286, W64

Evaluation of light physical activity measured by accelerometry and mobility disability during a 6-year follow-up in older women

Nicole Glass et al., 2021/2 PubMed #33620446 MSID: 3761
Importance: Almost 1 in 4 women older than 65 years is unable to walk 2 to 3 blocks, and mobility disability is a key factor associated with loss of independence. Lack of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity is associated with mobility disability, but whether lighter physical activity is associated with mobility disability is unknown. Objective: To determine the association of light-intensity physical activity and incident mobility disability among older women. Design, setting, and p...
Keywords: Physical Activity; Accelerometry; Mobility; Disability; Opach; Light Physical Activity
Related Studies: 286, W64

Identification of nine new susceptibility loci for endometrial cancer

Tracy O'Mara et al., 2018/8 PubMed #30093612 MSID: 3020
Endometrial cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer of the female reproductive tract in developed countries. Through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we have previously identified eight risk loci for endometrial cancer. Here, we present an expanded meta-analysis of 12,906 endometrial cancer cases and 108,979 controls (including new genotype data for 5624 cases) and identify nine novel genome-wide significant loci, including a locus on 12q24.12 previously identified by meta-GWAS of en...
Keywords: Endometrial Cancer; Genetics; Gwas; Genotype Imputation
Related Studies: 224, 264, BA18, M13, W63, W64

Evaluation of social isolation, loneliness, and cardiovascular disease among older women in the US

Natalie M. Golaszewski et al., 2022/2 PubMed #35107574 MSID: 4106
Importance: Social isolation and loneliness are increasing public health concerns and have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among older adults. Objective: To examine the associations of social isolation and loneliness with incident CVD in a large cohort of postmenopausal women and whether social support moderated these associations. Design, setting, and participants: This prospective cohort study, conducted from March 2011 through March 2019, included community...
Keywords: Social Isolation; Loneliness; Social Support; Cardiovascular Disease
Related Studies: W64

Measurement and validity of residential physical disorder: A modifiable potential link between historical inequity and current cancer risks and outcomes

Approved Proposal, Plascak, Jesse et al., 2023/1 MSID: 4853
Keywords: Neighborhood Stressors; Built Environment Audit; Neighborhood Physical Disorder Measurement Properties; Cancer; Cancer Psychosocial Mechanisms
Related Studies: 340, W64

Associations of metabolic syndrome with risk of falls and fall injuries: results from the Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health in Older Women (OPACH)

Approved Proposal, Jang, Haijin et al., 2023/3 MSID: 4884
Keywords: Metabolic Syndrome; Fall; Fall Injury; Fracture; Postmenopausal Women
Related Studies: 286, W64

Associations of social, physical, and financial factors with diet quality among older, community-dwelling women

James Shikany et al., 2020/3 PubMed #32132442 MSID: 3164
Abstract OBJECTIVE: This analysis examined whether specific social, physical, and financial factors were associated with diet quality among older, community-dwelling women. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis was conducted in a subset of 6,094 community-dwelling Women's Health Initiative participants who completed a food frequency questionnaire, administered from 2012 to 2013, and a self-administered supplemental questionnaire, administered approximately 1 year later. The supplemental questio...
Keywords: Diet; Nutrition Assessment; Diet Quality; Alternate Healthy Eating Index; Older Adults
Related Studies: W64

Risk of metabolic syndrome and metabolic phenotypes in relation to biomarker-calibrated estimates of energy and protein intakes: an investigation from the Women's Health Initiative

Alexi Vasbinder et al., 2020/12 PubMed #33381804 MSID: 3181
Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased mortality independent of BMI, resulting in discordant metabolic phenotypes, such as metabolically healthy obese and metabolically unhealthy normal-weight individuals. Studies investigating dietary intake in MetS have reported mixed results, due in part to the limitations of self-reported measures. Objectives: To investigate the role of biomarker-calibrated estimates of energy and protein in MetS and metabolic phenotypes. Methods:...
Keywords: Metabolic Syndrome; Biomarker-Calibrated Energy Intake; Cardiometabolic Risk Factors
Related Studies: W64

Low diastolic blood pressure and mortality in older women. Results from The Women’s Health Initiative Long Life Study

Sylvia Smoller et al., 2022/9 PubMed #35522983 MSID: 2977
Background: Recommended systolic blood pressure targets often do not consider the relationship of low diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality risk, which is especially relevant for older people with concurrent comorbidities. We examined the relationship of DBP levels to CVD and all-cause mortality in older women in the Women's Health Initiative Long Life Study (WHI-LLS). Methods: The study sample included 7,875 women (mean age: 79 years) wh...
Keywords: Blood Pressure; Hypertension; Mortality; Myocardial Infarction; Stroke; Older Women
Related Studies: W64

WHI Prediction Equations for Cardiovascular Risk (WHIPE) in Older-Old Women

Approved Proposal, Smoller, Sylvia et al., 2024/4 MSID: 5082
Keywords: Cvd Risk; Risk Prediction; Older Old Women; Coronary Heart Disease; Stroke
Related Studies: W64

Dynapenic abdominal obesity and fall risk among older women

Approved Proposal, Ziller, Shelby et al., 2022/11 MSID: 4818
Keywords: Dynapenic Abdominal Obesity; Falls; Dynapenia; Physical Function; Obesity
Related Studies: 286, W64

Relationship of psychotropic medication use with physical function among postmenopausal women

Hind Beydoun et al., 2024/3 PubMed #38517642 MSID: 4859
To examine cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships of psychotropic medications with physical function after menopause. Analyses involved 4557 Women's Health Initiative Long Life Study (WHI-LLS) participants (mean age at WHI enrollment (1993-1998): 62.8 years). Antidepressant, anxiolytic, and sedative/hypnotic medications were evaluated at WHI enrollment and 3-year follow-up visits. Performance-based physical function [Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)] was assessed at the 2012-201...
Keywords: Aging; Antidepressant; Depression; Physical Function; Trajectory.
Related Studies: W35, W64

Accelerometer-measured physical activity and sitting with incident mild cognitive impairment or probable dementia among older women

Steve Nguyen et al., 2023/1 PubMed #36695426 MSID: 4340
Introduction: Physical activity (PA) is prospectively inversely associated with dementia risk, but few studies examined accelerometer measures of PA and sitting with rigorously-adjudicated mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia risk. Methods: We examined the associations of accelerometer measures (PA and sitting) with incident MCI/probable dementia in the Women's Health Initiative (n = 1277; mean age = 82 ± 6 years) RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 4.2 years, 267 MCI/probable dementia c...
Keywords: Physical Activity; Sedentary Behavior; Cognitive Impairment; Dementia; Epidemiology
Related Studies: 244, 286, W64

Kidney stones and the risk of chronic kidney disease among postmenopausal women: Results from The Women's Health Initiative

Approved Proposal, Javadi, Mahsa et al., 2024/2 MSID: 5020
Keywords: Urinary Tract Stones; Chronic Kidney Disease; End-Stage Kidney Disease (Eskd); Mortality; Hazard Ratio; Postmenopausal Women
Related Studies: 422, M5, M13, W54, W58, W64, W66

DNA methylation based immune profiles predict cancer incidence

Approved Proposal, Kelsey, Karl et al., 2024/1 MSID: 4949
Keywords: Dna Methylation; Immunomethylomics; Cancer; Deconvolution; Cytometry
Related Studies: W64

Associations of obesity phenotypes with incident and recurrent falls in older adults: A cross-cohort analysis

Approved Proposal, Jang, Haijin et al., 2025/4 MSID: 5327
Keywords: Obesity; Sarcopenia; Fall; Longitudinal; Cross-Cohort Analysis
Related Studies: 286, W64

Effect of breast cancer and its treatments on long-term changes in physical function, physical performance and deficit accumulation

Approved Proposal, Cespedes Feliciano, Elizabeth et al., 2025/3 MSID: 5302
Keywords: Breast Cancer; Survivorship; Aging; Physical Function; Physical Performance
Related Studies: 370, 701, W35, W64

An assessment of compositional methods for the analysis of DNA methylation-based deconvolution estimates

Alexander Alsup et al., 2024/8 PubMed #39093129 MSID: 4939
DNA methylation (DNAm)-based deconvolution estimates contain relative data, forming a composition, that standard methods (testing directly on cell proportions) are ill-suited to handle. In this study we examined the performance of an alternative method, analysis of compositions of microbiomes (ANCOM), for the analysis of DNAm-based deconvolution estimates. We performed two different simulation studies comparing ANCOM to a standard approach (two sample t-test performed directly on cell proportion...
Keywords: Dna Methylation; Immunomethylomics; Compositional Data Analysis; Deconvolution; Cytometry
Related Studies: W64

Influence of physical activity measurement on the association between Life's Essential 8 and incident cardiovascular disease in older women

Eric Hyde et al., 2024/10 PubMed #39498208 MSID: 4366
Objective: The American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 (LE8) metric includes self-reported physical activity as one of the metrics for assessing cardiovascular health. Self-reported physical activity is prone to misclassification, whereas accelerometer measures are less biased. We examined associations of LE8 and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) using self-reported and accelerometer-measured physical activity. Methods: Participants in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Objective Ph...
Keywords: Physical Activity; Life’S Simple 7; Cardiovascular Disease; Older Women; Accelerometer
Related Studies: 286, W64

Integrative proteomic analyses across common cardiac diseases yield new mechanistic insights and enhanced prediction

Approved Proposal, Schuermans, Art et al., 2024/3 MSID: 5087
Keywords: Proteomics; Cardiovascular Disease; Genetics; Prediction; Risk Factors.
Related Studies: 576, W64