The European Male Ageing Study

This is the largest multi-centre study of ageing in men in the world and intends to identify the nature and frequency of some of the symptoms of ageing in men, the relationships between these symptoms to hormonal changes and other risk factors.

In total, 3369 men in 8 different countries in Europe are taking part in the study. These 8 centres are Manchester – UK, Malmo – Sweden, Tartu – Estonia, Lodz – Poland, Szeged – Hungary, Florence – Italy, Santiago de Compostela – Spain, Leuven – Belgium. In each centre, ~400 men aged between 40 and 79 years at the start of the study have been recruited. They will be followed up to look for future changes in their hormonal and general health status. The men will be investigated initially on two occasions, at the start and then ~5 years later. It is highly likely that the study will continue beyond 5 years and further testing will be organised subsequently. The aims of the study are to:

1. Document geographical variations in the ageing-related involution decline of endocrine function in European men;
2. Explain the variability in the rate of secular decline in endocrine functions on the basis of socio-demographic, lifestyle, co-morbid, ethnic/racial, or genetic factors;
3. Predict the physical and psychological health status of individuals based on the variation in ageing-related endocrine decline and changes in body composition.

Last update – 24/04/2017

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries Belgium|Estonia|Hungary|Italy|Poland|Spain|Sweden|United Kingdom
Genders Male
Sample sizes 0 to 4,999
Ages 40 to 59|60 to 100
Brain related measures Behaviour|Cognitive function|Mental health|Neurological
Funtional rating Individual physiological
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Hip circumference|Waist circumference|Weight
Physical Cardiovascular|Hearing and Vision|Musculoskeletal|Reproductive
Biological samples Blood
Genotyping
Brain imaging
Brain banking
Lifestyle Alcohol|Dietary habits|Physical activity|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Ethnic group|Marital status|Occupation and employment
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names Multiple
Current Sample Sizes 0 to 4,999

age at recruitment 40-79
last updated
recruitment period 2003-09
estimated current sample size number value 3369
cohort acronym EMAS
start date 2003-09
pi Multiple
website http://www.emas.man.ac.uk/Main.asp
contact details European Male Ageing Study
Andrology Research Unit
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Gastroenterology
Domain of Cardiovascular, Metabolic and Nutritional Sciences
School of Medical Sciences
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
University of Manchester (United Kingdom)
Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
Old St Mary’s Building – Ground Floor
Hathersage Road
M13 9WL
Manchester
United Kingdom
abstract  EMAS is a population study that intends to identify the nature and frequency of some of the symptoms of ageing in men. 3,369 men aged between 40 and 79 were recruited between 2003/09.
funders  Commission of the European Communities
contact email [email protected]
contact phone number +44 161 901 1825
estimated current sample size 0 to 4,999
sample sizes 3200