This presentation will describe the process of setting up a population-based twin study in Sri Lanka, funded by Wellcome Trust, and representing a collaboration between the Sri Lankan Twin Registry and the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London. This study has recruited nearly 2000 twin pairs, and 2000 singletons sampled from an identical sampling frame, and has collected data on common mental disorders, substance misuse, post-traumatic stress disorder and somatic symptoms.

As with any new initiatives, we faced many obstacles. Determination, commitment and team work were our strengths. Acquisition of basic knowledge was vital. This demanded networking with experienced international twin researchers. Collaboration was based on mutual benefits and scientific merit, but not on economically cheap and easy research in the developing world.

Few twin studies have examined large representative samples in nonwestern, developing countries. This is important to address because the relative magnitude of environmental influences on common mental disorders may differ in populations experiencing qualitatively and quantitatively different environmental risk factors to those commonly experienced in more developed countries.

Commitment against obstacles and basic knowledge was vital, but books and journals were a scarcity. This demanded networking with experienced twin researchers. A partnership model for collaboration was used for mutual scientific benefits but not for economically cheaper research in the developing world. Forming a multi-disciplinary team was essential, but for locals twin research was new. Funding was hardest without prior twin research.

Population based twin registers are not common outside Scandinavia, particularly in the developing world. Sri Lanka has a 98% accuracy of birth registration. However only since 1992 these records have been computerized at the Central Birth Registration Department including the details of the twin births. These details are complete only up to 1997.

To expand the National Twin Registry of Sri Lanka to a population based register, we examined the feasibility of tracing older twins by inspecting birth records and recruiting them by postal invitation and in-person contact.

Annual Scientific Sessions, Sri Lanka Medical Association

Annual Scientific Sessions, Sri Lanka Medical Association

Proceedings of the Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association.

Nearly all Twin Registers are based in developed countries and there is no Twin Register in the developing world.
Objectives
To initiate the process of establishing a nation-wide Twin Register in Sri Lanka by starting a volunteer register first and working towards a population based register.