What types of data are available in UK Biobank?

The UK Biobank database contains a vast array of different types of data.  The About our data page of the UK Biobank website and the hyperlinks within it give a useful overview of the data available. The Data Showcase provides a summary of all the data gathered by UK Biobank and can be freely explored to determine the data fields available. Within each data field, the “Data” tab presents the graphical and/or tabular distribution of the data and the “Notes” and “Resources” tabs include a full description of the field and any relevant explanatory documentation. The UK Biobank User Guide provides information on getting started with the Showcase and there is further information on the Understanding UK Biobank page of the Showcase.

Briefly, all 500,000 participants attended a baseline assessment which comprised of a self-completed touchscreen questionnaire, brief computer-assisted interview, physical and functional measures and collection of blood, urine and saliva. Between 2012 and 2013, 20,000 participants attended a repeat of this baseline assessment visit.  In 2014, the Imaging Study was launched and in 2019 repeat imaging began.  In addition to these assessment centre visits, online questionnaires have been used to capture data on factors such diet, mental health, cognitive function, occupational history and pain. Linkage to a wide range of health-related records, including death, cancer and hospital admissions is carried out, and whole genome sequencing data is available for all participants. Data are available on key biochemistry markers from all participants, taken from samples collected at recruitment and the first repeat assessment. Activity monitor data is available for a subset of participants.

Further information and useful links

Health-related outcomes data

Questionnaire data – Found in Category 100089.  Note that the questions asked in each questionnaire can typically be found in the “Resources” tab of the questionnaire on Showcase.

Imaging data – Brain, heart and full body MR imaging, plus full body DEXA scan of the bones and joints and an ultrasound of the carotid arteries.

Biomarker data – Biochemistry markers, blood count, infectious disease markers, metabolomics biomarkers and telomere length.  A full list of biomarkers is available.

Whole genome sequencing data

Whole exome sequencing data

Genome-wide genotyping

Optical Coherence Tomography

Activity monitor – Physical activity data over a 7-day period collected via a wrist-worn activity monitor for 100,000 participants plus a seasonal follow-up on a subset.