The Sweden cohort consortium (Cohort.se)

Abstract

Abstract The scientific literature is continuously flooded with non-replicable results from underpowered studies. The insight that very large sample sizes are needed in order to generate robust results has led to the establishment of very large cohorts and cohort consortia in the last decades. Sweden is a country with unique opportunities for epidemiological research. Sweden has a large number of carefully collected population-based cohorts that have been followed for decades, ongoing recruitment into several cohorts, and a variety of high-quality national socio-demographic and medical registries covering the whole population since many decades. However, Swedish cohort research is poorly coordinated. Many research projects are underpowered by using only one cohort at a time, leading to uncertain results with little benefit to patients and the public. We have proposed a coordination of all Swedish cohorts in a common national infrastructure, the Swedish Cohort Consortium (Cohorts.se), aiming to facilitate greater use of Swedish cohorts for better-powered research. Coordination of all Swedish prospective population-based cohorts in a common infrastructure would enable more precise research findings and facilitate research on less common exposures and outcomes, leading to better utilization of study participants’ data, better return of funders’ investments, and higher benefit to patients and populations. A standing Swedish cohort consortium may drive development of epidemiological research methods and strengthen the Swedish epidemiological competence, community, and competitiveness.