Tracing 8,600 participants 36 years after recruitment at age seven for the Tasmanian Asthma Study

Abstract

Objective: To trace all participants 36 years after the original Tasmanian Asthma Study (TAS). Methods: In 1968, the TAS investigated as thma in 8,583 children who were born in 1961. We attempted to trace these participants in 2002-04 using names, dates of birth and gender. Current addresses were sought by computer linkage to the Commonwealth Electoral Roll, the Medicare database and the Tasmanian marriage records. Computer linkage was conducted with the National Death Index (NDI). Siblings of participants were also linked to the Commonwealth Electoral Roll and those identified were sent a letter requesting the participant's address. The Australian Twin Registry (ATR) and the 1991-93 TAS sub..