Download Medications Data Dictionary
Beginning with Visit 4, and at all subsequent research clinic visits, participants were asked to bring in all medications, vitamins and supplements that they were taking. A clinical research nurse examined each medication and noted the ingredients, concentration, and form (e.g. capsule, tablet, liquid). Generic and trade names were recorded on the form, and these were used to determine the medication category (e.g. analgesic) and code (acetylsalicylic acid). The nurse asked participants about actual dosage taken, time of day taken, frequency and duration of use for each medication.
The total number of pill bottles or prescriptions brought to the visit is indicated in the variable MED_NUM_TOTAL. Each of the medications were assigned an identifying number (indicated by MED_NUM). For each of the identified medications, the number of active ingredients is noted in the variable MED_SUB_TOT. Each active ingredient was assigned an identifying number (indicated by MED_SUB). The medication category and code is supplied for each ingredient. For substances with more than 8 ingredients (e.g. multivitamins), individual ingredients are not identified, and the maximum number of ingredients (MED_SUB_TOT) is listed as 9.
Note: The Medication data were not extensively vetted at the time they were collected and may contain errors and missing variables.