​Specimen Test Results Available to Researchers

Specimen data from many of the WHI Core and ancillary studies is available in the WHI Database. The studies with data available to investigators is on page 2 of the Specimen Result Assays under Specimen Results.  Data from BAAs and ancillary studies (ASs) are generally made available 1 year after the end of the study funding period. Data from BAAs and ASs may be requested earlier by making requests directly to the BAA or AS PI.  Questions about the BAA and AS data sets should be addressed to the BAA or AS PIs. 

See the following sets and types of data available on specific groups of WHI participants.

GWAS and Baseline CVD Biomarkers

A cohort of approximately 23,500 participants has both GWAS¹ and baseline CVD Biomarkers². See the table below.  Note that the number of participants in MRC, LLS, and BMD cohorts are each a subset  for the approx. 23​,500 participants, and that participants in these three groups are not mutually exclusive (for example, a participant may be in 1, 2, or all three of the subsets).    ​

1 – Only 'dbGaP-eligible' participants are included in GWAS projects. GWAS includes the data from the 1,000 Genomes project (see below) and W66.  W66 GWAS data is NOT imputed and has not yet been submitted to dbGaP, but will be in the future.
2 – Baseline CVD biomarkers from W54, W58, and W66 are included above, and include HDL, LDL, cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, CRP, creatinine​.
3 – Ppts = Participants. See Table 1b on Key WHI Genetic and Biomarker Studies and the WHI Study Pages for participant selection criteria.                          
4 - MRC = Medical Record Cohort, and includes HT participants and African Americans/Hispanics enrolled in the WHI Extension Study 2 (2010 - 2015) (ES2). In ES2, WHI outcomes are adjudicated only for MRC participants while cancer outcomes are adjudicated for all participants.
5 – LLS = Long Life Study. Between 2012 and 2013, 7,875 MRC participants completed an LLS visit. CVD Biomarkers were done on baseline and LLS visit blood samples. Sample available includes serum, EDTA plasma, RBCs, extracted DNA, extracted RNA.  See the Long Life Study page for more information.
6 - BMD = Bone Mineral Density participants; see des​cription of BMD subsample on listing on the Subsample Definitions page.  Urine samples were also collected on the BMD participants.  

GWAS Imputation Project

GWAS data from about 30,000 WHI participants were imputed into 1,000 Genomes data. The imputed GWAS data is available.

Test Results Available for Long Life Study (LLS) Participants:

• GWAS (done in W66, M5, M13, or W63)

• CVD biomarkers at baseline (W54, W58, W66) and LLS visit (glucose, insulin, creatinine, CRP, HDL, LDL, triglyceride, cholesterol)

• WBC, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet count at baseline, Y1 (CT only), and Y3 (OS only)

• CBC with 26 variables including WBC, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, WBC differential (automated), and numerous indices (LLS visit)

Core Analytes  

Performed on the CT 6% subsample (W1) at baseline, Years 1, 3, and 6, and on the OS Measurement Precision Study participants (W2 - 1% of OS participants) at baseline and Month 3.  The 20 core analytes include:  

• Coagulation Factors: Factor VII Ag (antigen), Factor VIIC (activity), Fibrinogen

• Lipids: HDL, HDL-2, HDL-3, LDL, Lp(a), total cholesterol, triglyceride​

• Micronutrients: alpha carotene, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, gamma tocopherol, beta-cryptoxanthine, lycopene, lutein + zeaxanthin, retinol

• Metabolic: glucose, insulin

Limitations on Use of Specimen Data in Public Datasets

Summary data may be used for all participants. However, not all participant samples may be used in studies that plan to deposit genetic data into public datasets such as dbGaP. All genetic studies funded by NIH are now required to deposit the GWAS data into dbGaP. Restrictions apply based on whether the participant signed the WHI Supplemental Use Consent Form - see the table below. A participant who previously signed the Supplemental Use Consent later declines to have her DNA used, will be moved to the Refused category.

Other useful links:

Related publications

Baseline blood analyses for the CT and OS have been published in the following documents.

Baseline monographs

• Hays J, Hunt J, Hubbell A, Anderson G, Limacher M, Allen C, Rossouw J. The WHI Recruitment Methods and Results. Ann Epidemiol 2003;13:S18-S77.

• Langer R, White E, Lewis C, Kotchen J, Hendrix S, Trevisan M. The WHI OS: Baseline Characteristics of Participants and Reliability of Baseline Measures. Ann Epidemiol 2003;13:S107

See also the blood analytes tables under Baseline summary tables.

Contact the WHI Help Desk at helpdesk@whi.org if you need assistance or have questions.