The Malaysian Cohort project

The Malaysian Cohort study was initiated in 2005 by the Malaysian government. The top-down approach to this population-based cohort study ensured the allocation of sufficient funding for the project which aimed to recruit 100 000 individuals aged 35–70 years. Participants were recruited from rural and urban areas as well as from various socioeconomic groups. The main objectives of the study were to identify risk factors, to study gene-environment interaction and to discover biomarkers for the early detection of cancers and other diseases. At recruitment, a questionnaire-based interview was conducted, biophysical measurements were performed and biospecimens were collected, processed and stored. Baseline investigations included fasting blood sugar, fasting lipid profile, renal profile and full blood count. Active follow-up and reassessment started in 2013 and to date 35,000 participants have been reassessed including biospecimens.

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries Malaysia
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 100,000 to 499,999
Ages 40 to 59|60 to 100
Brain related measures
Funtional rating
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Hip circumference|Waist circumference|Weight
Physical Cardiovascular|Reproductive|Respiratory
Biological samples Blood|Urine
Genotyping Gene screening
Brain imaging
Brain banking
Lifestyle Alcohol|Dietary habits|Physical activity|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Ethnic group|Family circumstances|Housing and accommodation|Income and finances|Martial status|Occupation and employment
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Current Sample Sizes 100,000 to 499,999

age at recruitment 35-70
last updated
recruitment period 2005
estimated current sample size number value
cohort acronym TMC
start date 2005
pi Rahman Jamal
website http://www.ukm.my/mycohort/ms/
contact details UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,
Jalan Yaacob Latif,
Cheras,
56000 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
abstract  The main objectives of the study were to identify risk factors, to study gene-environment interaction and to discover biomarkers for the early detection of cancers and other diseases. 100 000 individuals aged 35–70 years were recruited.
funders  Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI)|Ministry of Education
contact email [email protected]; [email protected]
contact phone number 
estimated current sample size
sample sizes 106,527