The first stage of the GWAS for adiponectin levels was performed in 3 population-based cohorts utilizing subjects of self-described European ancestry, which were not selected for diabetes, heart disease or any metabolic trait (Table 1). The discovery cohorts included CoLaus [36], TwinsUK [37],[38], and Genetic Etiology of Metabolic Syndrome (GEMS) [39]. Participants of the CoLaus study were individuals of European ancestry, randomly selected from 56,694 permanent residents of Lausanne, Switzerland, between the ages of 35 and 75 years. Recruitment took place between April 2003 and March 2006. TwinsUK is a population-based sample of British twins, which is representative of the general United Kingdom population, and is extensively phenotyped for aging-related traits [40]. GEMS is a case-control study of dyslipidemic individuals between the ages of 20 and 65 years. Cases and controls were matched based on gender and recruitment site. The GEMS and CoLaus studies were sponsored in part by GlaxoSmithKline. All participants were informed of this sponsorship, and consented for the use of their data and biologic samples by GlaxoSmithKline and its subsidiaries.
