Baseline examination (questionnaire and health examination). Information was collected from a self-administered questionnaire for the study participants about previously diagnosed medical conditions diagnosed by a doctor, eating habits, alcohol consumption, smoking, occupational stress, family predisposition, health-related quality of life and social environment. Also, comprehensive medical data collection including results of physical assessment, medical diagnoses, and drug prescriptions were obtained from the general practitioner. Blood, urine and stool samples were collected. Baseline is the only data collection event available in the MORGAM and it is identified by the round 01 of the Cohort 21 of the GER-ESR in the MORGAM data.

The 2-year follow-up of the cohort. Information was collected from a self-administered questionnaire for the study participants about previously diagnosed medical conditions diagnosed by a doctor, eating habits, alcohol consumption, smoking, occupational stress, family predisposition, health-related quality of life and social environment. Incident events were validated by general practitioners. Information on cases of cancer during follow-ups is captured by the Saarland cancer registry. Mortality and causes of death are provided by residents' registration offices of Saarland. Follow-up ends in year 2002-2004, depending on when the person returned the follow-up questionnaire. This re-examination data is not harmonized in the MORGAM Project, but the information obtained are used for follow-up data in the harmonized MORGAM data.

The 5-year follow-up of the cohort. Information was collected from a self-administered questionnaire for the study participants to find out how often chronic diseases had occurred after the first interview. Also, information was collected on risk factors, previous illnesses, family history and relevant items on life style. New questions were asked about the need for care, on the one hand for the care of relatives and on the need for care. Another important focus was to inquire about the mobility and activity in order to be able to assess the development of possible restrictions in the aging process and their consequences. A a standardized short telephone interview about cognitive function was completed. Incident events were validated by general practitioners. Information on cases of cancer during follow-ups is captured by the Saarland cancer registry. Mortality and causes of death are provided by residents? registration offices of Saarland. Follow-up ends in year 2005-2007, depending on when the person returned the follow-up questionnaire. A blood sample was collected. This re-examination data is not harmonized in the MORGAM Project, but the information obtained are used for follow-up data in the harmonized MORGAM data.

8-year follow-up of the cohort (round 4). Information was collected from a self-administered questionnaire for the study participants to find out how often chronic diseases had occurred after the first interview. Also, information was collected on risk factors, previous illnesses, family history and relevant items on life style. A telephone interview about cognitive function was completed. Incident events were validated by general practitioners. A detailed geriatric assessment was completed at the study participants? homes by study physicians.Information on cases of cancer during follow-ups is captured by the Saarland cancer registry. Mortality and causes of death are provided by residents? registration offices of Saarland. Follow-up for non-fatal events ends in year 2008-2010, depending on when the person returned the follow-up questionnaire. This re-examination data is not harmonized in the MORGAM Project, but the information obtained are used for follow-up data in the harmonized MORGAM data. The follow-up data is harmonized up to this round 4 in the MORGAM (taking into account all rounds 2-4) and cardiovascular events, type 2 diabetes, cancers and death are included in the MORGAM data, see the end-points followed up in the [MORGAM e-publication](https://www.thl.fi/publications/morgam/cohorts/full/germany/ger-esra.htm). A blood sample was collected.

The 11-year follow-up of the cohort. Information was collected from a self-administered questionnaire for the study participants about previously diagnosed medical conditions diagnosed by a doctor, eating habits, alcohol consumption, smoking, occupational stress, family predisposition, health-related quality of life and social environment. Incident events were validated by general practitioners. A detailed geriatric assessment was completed at the study participants? homes by study physicians. Information on cases of cancer during follow-ups is captured by the Saarland cancer registry. Mortality and causes of death are provided by residents? registration offices of Saarland. Follow-up ends in year 2011-2013, depending on when the person returned the follow-up questionnaire. Blood samples and saliva are collected. This re-examination data is not harmonized in the MORGAM Project.

The 14-year follow-up of the cohort. Information was collected from a self-administered questionnaire for the study participants to find out how often chronic diseases had occurred after the first interview. Also, information was collected on risk factors, previous illnesses, family history and relevant items on life style. Incident events were validated by general practitioners. A detailed geriatric assessment was completed at the study participants' homes by study physicians. Follow-up ends in year 2014-2016, depending on when the person returned the follow-up questionnaire. A blood sample was collected. Information on cases of cancer during follow-ups is captured by the Saarland cancer registry. Mortality and causes of death are provided by residents' registration offices of Saarland. This re-examination data is not harmonized in the MORGAM Project.

The 17-year follow-up of the cohort. Information was collected from a self-administered questionnaire for the study participants about previously diagnosed medical conditions diagnosed by a doctor, eating habits, alcohol consumption, smoking, occupational stress, family predisposition, health-related quality of life and social environment. A blood sample was collected. Information on cases of cancer during follow-ups is captured by the Saarland cancer registry. Mortality and causes of death are provided by residents' registration offices of Saarland. Follow-up ends in year 2017-2019, depending on when the person returned the follow-up questionnaire. This re-examination data is not harmonized in the MORGAM Project.

The 20-year follow-up of the cohort. Information was collected from a self-administered questionnaire for the study participants about previously diagnosed medical conditions diagnosed by a doctor, eating habits, alcohol consumption, smoking, occupational stress, family predisposition, health-related quality of life and social environment. Information on cases of cancer during follow-ups is captured by the Saarland cancer registry. Mortality and causes of death are provided by residents' registration offices of Saarland. Follow-up ends in year 2020-2021, depending on when the person returned the follow-up questionnaire. Data from round 8 will ready in autumn 2022. Blood samples are collected. This re-examination data is not harmonized in the MORGAM Project.

The follow-up for deaths, cardiovascular events, type 2 diabetes and cancers are harmonized the MORGAM (up to follow-up round 4, taking into account all rounds 2-4), see the end-points followed up in the [MORGAM e-publication](https://www.thl.fi/publications/morgam/cohorts/full/germany/ger-esra.htm).