Ageing BIOmarker Study in Singaporeans (ABIOS)

Ageing BIOmarker Study in Singaporeans (ABIOS)

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Healthy Aging; Lifestyle Factors; Biological Aging

Detailed Description

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.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 378

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Singapore
  • Singapore, Singapore, 159964
    • Centre for Healthy Longevity at Alexandra Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults 21 years of age or greater who has lived in Singapore for at least 5 consecutive years and is of Chinese, Malay, or Indian ethnicity

Description

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Singaporean adults; Adults greater than 21 years of age living in Singapore of Chinese, Malay, or Indian ethnicity.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
blood DNA methylation	DNA methylation ageing clock, years	Baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Carotid-femoral Pulse Wave Velocity	Arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity, m/s	Baseline
Handgrip strength	Handgrip strength measured by dynamometer, kg	Baseline
8-repetition maximal strength	Lower body strength measured by maximum weight for 8 leg extension repetitions, kg	Baseline
Objective physical activity	Objective physical activity measured by an activity tracking monitor	Baseline
Facial age	Facial ageing clock based on 3D face morphometry, years	Baseline
Complete red blood cell (RBC) count	Clinical blood parameters, RBC x 10^12/L	Baseline
Total white blood cell (WBC) count	Clinical blood parameters, WBC x 10^9/L	Baseline
Total cholesterol	Lipid profile panel, mmol/L	Baseline
HDL cholesterol	Lipid profile panel, mmol/L	Baseline
LDL cholesterol	Lipid profile panel, mmol/L	Baseline
Triglycerides	Lipid profile panel, mmol/L	Baseline
Fasting blood glucose	Clinical blood parameters, mmol/L	Baseline
Total protein	Liver profile panel, mmol/L	Baseline
Total bilirubin	Liver profile panel, umol/L	Baseline
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)	Clinical blood parameters, U/L	Baseline
Insulin	Clinical blood parameters, Roche immunoassay, mU/L	Baseline
HbA1c	Clinical blood parameters, %	Baseline
Skin advanced glycation endproducts	Skin advanced glycation endproducts measured by autofluorescence	Baseline

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Blood pressure	Central and brachial blood pressure measurements, mmHg	Baseline
Waist-to-hip ratio	Waist-to-hip circumference ratio	Baseline
Bone mineral density	Bone mineral density measured by DEXA scan, g/cm^2	Baseline
Fat-free mass	Fat-free mass measured by DEXA scan, kg	Baseline
Fat mass	Fat mass measured by DEXA scan, kg	Baseline
Arm curl repetitions	Number of arm curl repetitions at a certain weight in 30 seconds	Baseline
Backscratch test	Backscratch test to assess upper body flexibility, distance between fingers in cm	Baseline
Sit-to-stand repeitions	Number of chair sit-to-stand repetitions in 30 seconds	Baseline
4-metre walk	Time it takes for the participant to walk 4 metres, seconds	Baseline
Habitual physical activity	Habitual physical activity patterns reflected by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire	Baseline
Frailty	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)	Baseline
Risk of malnutrition	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)	Baseline
Saliva DNA methylation status	DNA methylation ageing clock, years	Baseline
Cognitive function	Cognitive function test assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), ranging from 0 to 30	Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National University of Singapore
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Andrea Maier, MD, PhD, National University of Singapore

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 12, 2021
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 4, 2024
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2028

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 8, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 12, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): August 15, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 1, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 28, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Aging; DNA methylation; Lifestyle; Geroscience; Biological Clocks
• Other Study ID Numbers: NHG-DSRB-2019-00388

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No