Your first step, if you decide to take part in this study, is to confirm or change the appointment time we have made for you. You can confirm your appointment on this web site by going to the Confirm appointment page. You can also confirm your appointment by calling our Participant Research Centre on 0800 0 276 276. To change your appointment time you need to call this number. It would be helpful for us to know if you can no longer keep your appointment, or if you change your mind about participating, so that your appointment can be offered to someone else. You can do this by email, phone or mail. You can find our full contact details in the About us section of this web site.
On arrival at your assessment centre you will be welcomed by a member of staff. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the project and to ask any questions that you may have before deciding whether to proceed.
Trained staff will be on hand at the assessment centre to take you through the assessment process. The staff can answer any questions you have (or can find someone who can, if they cannot). The measurements we will take are listed below. None is strenuous but, as with giving blood, you will have an opportunity to ‘recover’ over tea and biscuits at the end. Please note that this is not a health check, but you will leave the assessment centre with a series of readings which you can share with your GP if you wish.
PS. We hope you don’t mind us suggesting a possible appointment time for you at our assessment centre. This is a tried and tested way of recruiting people to large projects such as this. It is, for instance, the way in which the National Breast Screening Programme organises its appointments system. Please remember, your appointment time can be easily changed by calling us on 0800 0 276 276.
Your assessment
There are four parts to the assessment process. Expect the assessment to last between 2-3 hours.
- Written consent
- Touch screen questionnaire
- Face-to-face interview
- Measurements
- Watch our video by clicking here - and find out much more about UK Biobank
Written consent
Written consent for us to follow your health through your medical and other health records is crucial. Without your consent we are unable to enter you into the project. You can view a copy of a consent form here.[PDF 15kb] You can view a copy of the screen notes here. [PDF 108kb]. Consent form in Welsh: Ffurflen Gydsynio [Word Doc 34kb] Screen notes in Welsh: Nodiadau Sgrinio ar gyfer ymweliad asesu Biobanc y DU
Touch Screen Questionnaire
The special touch screen questionnaire is easy to use, but if you need help there will be someone on hand to assist you. The questionnaire is about your lifestyle and will take between 30-40 minutes to complete. You can view a copy of a questionnaire here [PDF 210kb]. Participants also undertake a web-based diet questionnaire. You can view a copy of the web-based diet questionnaire here.
There is also a section to assess cognitive function and psychological status. A hearing test is undertaken while wearing headphones.
Interview
During your interview you will be asked questions about your birth (if you know it). You will also be asked about serious illnesses you may have had, operations and any medication you might be taking. An aide memoire will be sent with your confirmation details in the form of a pre-assessment questionnaire [PDF 100kb]. Don't forget to bring it with you.
Measurements
Your blood pressure will be taken and we will ask if we can take some body measurements. These are:
- Hand grip: you will be asked to sit upright in a chair and the strength of both hands will be measured in turn using a device called a dynamometer.
- Waist and hip circumference: it is not necessary to undress, but it will help if any bulky clothing can be lifted up to allow your waist to be located. You will be asked to stand with your arms folded across your chest.
- Standing height: you will need to be barefooted and you will be asked to stand as tall as possible while looking straight ahead.
- Sitting height: you will be asked to sit on the Essex Sitting Height Table, which is easy to get in to and out of.
- Weight and bioimpedance: you body fat will be measured by passing a small, harmless electric current through your body. Prior to the measurement you will be asked if you have a pacemaker or are pregnant, in which case your weight will be measured on standard scales.
- Spirometry: this measures your lung function. You will be asked to fill your lungs as much as possible, seal your lips around a mouthpiece and then blow air out of your lungs as fast as possible, continuing until no more air comes out of the lungs. You may be asked to do this three times. People with dentures may want to remove them before undergoing this assessment.
- Bone density: you will be asked to take a seat. If your shoes are not already off you will be asked to remove them. A device that measures bone density will be applied to your heels.
- Use of an infra red finger probe (that goes over the end of your finger) to measure the stiffness of your arteries.
- Eye measurements and a fitness assessment.
- A detailed web-based diet questionnaire.
- Blood collection: specially trained staff will collect small samples of blood (about 3 tablespoons) from your forearm.
- Urine and saliva samples.
On leaving the assessment centre you will be given a printed report of your measurements alongside ‘standard ranges’. This should provide sufficient information to give meaning to your measurements. You can view a copy of the assessment form here.[PDF 42kb]
When attending the assessment centre we ask that you wear light loose-fitting clothing and avoid wearing tights or stockings (if possible), as this makes some of the measurements easier. Bring any reading glasses that you might use and your completed pre-assessment questionnaire.
UK Biobank Protocol [PDF 668kb]
Category 1 enhanced phenotyping at baseline assessment [PDF 93kb]
Addendum to the main study protocol, Category 2