The FINE-Italy longitudinal study was launched in 1985 on the survivors of the Seven Countries Study on Cardiovascular Diseases cohort, with the aim of assessing cardiovascular disease, risk factors, cognitive ability and physical performance, in an elderly population aged 65-84 years at the baseline. The study includes two cohorts made up only of men enrolled by the general population of the municipalities of Crevalcore (Bologna) and Montegiorgio (Fermo), rural areas in Central Italy. In 1985, 682 people were examined. The survivors were reviewed in 1991 (N=427), in 1995 (N=295) and in 2000 (N=200). In all the screening carried out, the response rate was over 75%.

 

The methodologies for collecting risk factors are comparable with those of the other studies, with the sole exception of blood pressure, which was measured twice consecutively with the right arm lying down, to comply with the methodologies adopted in the Seven Countries Study. In 1991, 1995 and 2000 blood samples were also collected and stored in the biobank at the Higher Institute of Health.

Follow-up data on total and per cause mortality up to 2004 are available.

• Population sample: 2 cohorts enlisted in two municipalities in central Italy, 682 men aged 65-84 years old.
• Baseline and review (year): 1985; 1991; 1995; 2000
• Biological sample collection (year): 1991; 1995; 2000
• Data collected at baseline and review: socio-demographic characteristics; lifestyles (diet, smoking habit); risk factors (blood pressure, heart rate, body mass index, ECG read according to Minnesota code, total cholesterol and HDL (excluding 1991), triglyceridemia (excluding 1995), glycaemia (excluding 1995); drugs; history of cardiovascular disease (previous myocardial infarction, stroke, angina pectoris, intermittent claudication, atrial fibrillation, left ventricular hypertrophy, previous aortocoronary bypass surgery or revascularization, transient ischemic attack - TIA); cognitive function; physical performance
• Follow-up data: total and cause mortality available until 2004
• Biological samples: N=427 serum (1991); N= 295 serum (1995); N= 201 serum, plasma, buffy coat, emazie (2000).

Publications:

• Giltay EJ, Nissinen A, Giampaoli S, Kromhout D. Apolipoprotein E genotype modifies the association between midlife lung function and cognitive function in old age. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2009;28:433-41.
• Houterman S, Verschuren M, Giampaoli S, Nissinen A, Feskens E, Menotti A, Kromhout D. Total but not High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol is consistently associated with coronary heart disease mortality in elderly men in Finland, Italy, and The Netherlands. Epidemiology 2000;11:327-32.
• Giampaoli S, Ferrucci L, Cecchi F, Lo Noce C, Poce A, Dima F, Santaquilani A, Vescio MF, Menotti A. Hand-grip strength predicts incident disability in non disabled older men. Age and Ageing 1999;28:283-88.
• Ferrucci L, Cecchi F, Guralnik J, Giampaoli S, Lo Noce C, Salani B, Bandinelli B, Baroni A. Does the clock drawing test predict cognitive decline in older persons independent of the mini-mental state examination ? The FINE Study Group. Finland, Italy, The Netherlands Eldery. Journal American Geriatrics Society 1996;44:1326-31.
• Bijnen F, Feskens E, Giampaoli S, Menotti A, Fidanza F, Hornstra G, Caspersen C, Mosterd W, Kromhout D. Haemostatic parameters and lifestyle factors in elderly men in Italy and the Netherlands. Trombosis and Haemostasis 1996;76:411-16.
• Giampaoli S, Menotti A, Amici R, Cigna G, Dima F, Feskens E, Lombari P, Lo Noce C, Pasquali M, Santaquilani A. Lo stato di salute nei soggetti anziani: indagine su un campione di popolazione. Annali di Igiene 1993;5:231-39.