Fig. 1. Derivation of the sample representing 169,053 individuals without previous cardiovascular disease from six European population-based cohorts.
The distribution of MIMI participants across Europe is shown, with the participating countries and cohort centers indicated. Cases (n = 420) were initially sampled, and center-specific strata based on sex and median age were constructed. From each cohort center, up to four subcohort representatives were drawn for each case from the same stratum. A subcohort (n = 1,598) weighted to represent the total cohort (N = 169,053) based on the number of individuals in the age and sex strata in the total cohort was thus assembled. NA, not applicable.