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Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06555978

Ageing BIOmarker Study in Singaporeans

The Ageing BIOmarker Study in Singaporeans (ABIOS) aims to understand the biological aging processes and how they affect health among people in Singapore. As people grow older, their risk of developing chronic diseases increases. This study aims to better understand the biological changes that come with age, particularly in three major ethnic groups: Chinese, Malay, and Indian adults over 21 years old. By examining a range of health indicators such as DNA methylation, inflammation, metabolism, cardiovascular health, physical function, and physical activity (i.e., molecular, physiological, and digital biomarkers of ageing), the study seeks to identify how ethnicity, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors influence ageing. This unique study focuses on an all-Asian population, aiming to enhance our understanding of healthy aging across different ethnic groups.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Healthy Aging Biological Aging Lifestyle Factors

Age range

21 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Centre for Healthy Longevity at Alexandra Hospital

Singapore, 159964

About this study

Biological ageing is the primary driver of age-associated chronic diseases in older adults. Asian populations have been underrepresented in studies developing biological age predictors and understanding age-related diseases. Thus, the Ageing BIOmarker Study in Singaporeans (ABIOS) aims to characterise the biomarkers of ageing in Singaporeans, exploring associations between molecular, physiological, and digital biomarkers of ageing.

This is a single-centre, cross-sectional study that recruits healthy community-dwelling adults (≥ 21 years) from three different ethnic groups (Chinese, Malay, and Indian). Molecular biomarkers of ageing include a multi-omics approach, such as DNA methylation and metabolic and inflammatory parameters in blood, saliva, and stool. Physiological biomarkers of ageing include bone density, body composition, skin autofluorescence, arterial stiffness, physical performance (e.g., muscle strength and flexibility), cognition, and nutritional status. Digital biomarkers of ageing include three-dimensional facial morphology and objective physical activity. Additional factors such as habitual physical activity, dietary patterns, and medical history are also examined. The associations between the molecular, physiological, and digital phenotypes will be explored.

By examining diverse age-related biomarkers, clinical indicators, and lifestyle factors, ABIOS will offer unique insights into the ageing process within these ethnic groups to develop health policies and interventions for promoting healthy ageing in an all-Asian population.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • ≥21 years of age
  • Chinese, Malay, or Indian and has lived in Singapore for at least 5 consecutive years
  • Apparently healthy and non-smokers
  • Having only 1 condition (if ≥45 and <65 years) or any condition (if ≥65 years), and all conditions were medication-controlled (if any):
  • Hypertension
  • Hyperlipidemia
  • Hyperglycemia
  • Osteopenia/osteoporosis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Type 2 diabetes

Exclusion criteria

  • Body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m^2
  • Pre-existing or history of major cardiovascular disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, peripheral vascular disease)
  • Any metal implants (excluding dental implants) in the body
  • Pre-existing or history of cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Pregnant women or planning pregnancy in the next 6-12 months

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. blood DNA methylation

    Time frame: Baseline

    DNA methylation ageing clock, years

Secondary outcomes

  1. Carotid-femoral Pulse Wave Velocity

    Time frame: Baseline

    Arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity, m/s

  2. Handgrip strength

    Time frame: Baseline

    Handgrip strength measured by dynamometer, kg

  3. 8-repetition maximal strength

    Time frame: Baseline

    Lower body strength measured by maximum weight for 8 leg extension repetitions, kg

  4. Skin advanced glycation endproducts

    Time frame: Baseline

    Skin advanced glycation endproducts measured by autofluorescence

  5. Objective physical activity

    Time frame: Baseline

    Objective physical activity measured by an activity tracking monitor

  6. Facial age

    Time frame: Baseline

    Facial ageing clock based on 3D face morphometry, years

  7. Complete red blood cell (RBC) count

    Time frame: Baseline

    Clinical blood parameters, RBC x 10^12/L

  8. Total white blood cell (WBC) count

    Time frame: Baseline

    Clinical blood parameters, WBC x 10^9/L

  9. Total cholesterol

    Time frame: Baseline

    Lipid profile panel, mmol/L

  10. HDL cholesterol

    Time frame: Baseline

    Lipid profile panel, mmol/L

  11. LDL cholesterol

    Time frame: Baseline

    Lipid profile panel, mmol/L

  12. Triglycerides

    Time frame: Baseline

    Lipid profile panel, mmol/L

  13. Fasting blood glucose

    Time frame: Baseline

    Clinical blood parameters, mmol/L

  14. Total protein

    Time frame: Baseline

    Liver profile panel, mmol/L

  15. Total bilirubin

    Time frame: Baseline

    Liver profile panel, umol/L

  16. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)

    Time frame: Baseline

    Clinical blood parameters, U/L

  17. Insulin

    Time frame: Baseline

    Clinical blood parameters, Roche immunoassay, mU/L

  18. HbA1c

    Time frame: Baseline

    Clinical blood parameters, %

Other outcomes

  1. Blood pressure

    Time frame: Baseline

    Central and brachial blood pressure measurements, mmHg

  2. Waist-to-hip ratio

    Time frame: Baseline

    Waist-to-hip circumference ratio

  3. Bone mineral density

    Time frame: Baseline

    Bone mineral density measured by DEXA scan, g/cm^2

  4. Fat-free mass

    Time frame: Baseline

    Fat-free mass measured by DEXA scan, kg

  5. Fat mass

    Time frame: Baseline

    Fat mass measured by DEXA scan, kg

  6. Arm curl repetitions

    Time frame: Baseline

    Number of arm curl repetitions at a certain weight in 30 seconds

  7. Backscratch test

    Time frame: Baseline

    Backscratch test to assess upper body flexibility, distance between fingers in cm

  8. Sit-to-stand repeitions

    Time frame: Baseline

    Number of chair sit-to-stand repetitions in 30 seconds

  9. 4-metre walk

    Time frame: Baseline

    Time it takes for the participant to walk 4 metres, seconds

  10. Habitual physical activity

    Time frame: Baseline

    Habitual physical activity patterns reflected by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire

  11. Cognitive function

    Time frame: Baseline

    Cognitive function test assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), ranging from 0 to 30

  12. Frailty

    Time frame: Baseline

    Frailty assessed by the FRAIL scale (fatigue, resistance, aerobic capacity, illnesses, and loss of weight), with three categories: robust (score=0), prefrail (score=1-2), and frail (score=3-5)

  13. Risk of malnutrition

    Time frame: Baseline

    Risk of malnutrition assessed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), with three categories: malnourished (0-7 points), at risk of malnutrition (8-11 points), normal nutritional status (12-14 points)

  14. Saliva DNA methylation status

    Time frame: Baseline

    DNA methylation ageing clock, years

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National University of Singapore

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Ageing BIOmarker Study in Singaporeans (ABIOS)

Acronym: ABIOS

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2028
First posted
Aug 15, 2024
Registry last updated
Jun 1, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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