The association between linoleic acid and type 2 diabetes was assessed in multivariable models for each cohort, and the results were pooled using inverse-variance weighted fixed effects meta-analysis. If multiple biomarkers were available within a study, one was chosen for the overall analysis on the basis of its ability to reflect long-term dietary intake (in the following order of preference): adipose tissue, phospholipids, total plasma, and cholesterol esters. Similarly, data for erythrocyte phospholipids were preferred over plasma phospholipids if both were available from a cohort. References for all studies are shown in the appendix. RR=relative risk. AGES-Reykjavik=Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility Study (Reykjavik). METSIM=Metabolic Syndrome in Men Study. MCCS=Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. FHS=Framingham Heart Study. 3C=Three City Study. EPIC-Norfolk=European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (Norfolk). EPIC-Potsdam=European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (Potsdam). ARIC=Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities. CHS=Cardiovascular Health Study. PIVUS=Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors. MESA=Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. HPFS=Health Professionals Follow-up Study. WHIMS=Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study. NHS=Nurses’ Health Study. KIHD=Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study. IRAS=Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study. CCCC=Chin-Shan Community Cardiovascular Cohort Study. ULSAM-50=Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men-50. AOC=Alpha Omega Cohort. ULSAM-70=Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men-70.
*Difference between the midpoints of the first and fifth quintiles.