Neurological Disorders in Central Spain, Second Survey: Feasibility Pilot Observational Study

Abstract

BackgroundThe Neurological Disorders in Central Spain, second survey (NEDICES-2) is a population-based, closed-cohort study that will include over 8000 subjects aged ≥55 years. It will also include a biobank.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate all major aspects of the NEDICES-2 (methods, database, screening instruments, and questionnaires, as well as interexpert rating of the neurological diagnoses) in each one of the planned areas (all of them in central Spain) and to test the possibility of obtaining biological samples from each participant.MethodsA selection of patients and participants of the planned NEDICES-2 underwent face-to-face interviews including a comprehensive questionnaire on demographics, current medications, medical conditions, and lifestyle habits. Biological samples (blood, saliva, urine, and hair) were also obtained. Furthermore, every participant was examined by a neurologist.ResultsIn this pilot study, 567 study participants were enrolled (196 from hospitals and 371 from primary care physician lists). Of these 567, 310 completed all study procedures (questionnaires and the neurological evaluation). The study was time-consuming for several primary care physicians. Hence, a few primary care physicians from some areas refused to participate, which led to a reconfiguration of study areas. In addition, the central biobank needed to be supplemented by the biobanks of local Spanish National Health System hospitals.ConclusionsPopulation-based epidemiological surveys, such as the NEDICES-2, require a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of all aspects of a future field study (population selection, methods and instruments to be used, neurological diagnosis agreement, and data collection).

Cardiovascular risk in subjects over 55 years of age and cognitive performance after five years. NEDICES2-RISK study. Study protocol

“…The studied population are patients 55 to 74 years old, already included in the cohort of the former study NEDICES2 (2014–2017), and not showing dementia in the course of the medical and neurological evaluation. The population in the study NEDICES2 originated from the list of users (social security card holders) of the participating doctors in the included healthcare centers, who were then selected following randomized sampling of patients ≥55 years-old stratified by gender and age (5-year intervals) [ 39 ].…”

“…The study NEurological DIsorders in CEntral Spain (NEDICES) [ 38 ] commenced in 1993 and consisted of a population, longitudinal study including a total of 5,278 participants ≥65 years of age, with a follow-up from 1994 to 2008, and with two types of objectives: neurologic and general. In 2011, the study NEurological DIsorders in CEntral Spain with biobank (NEDICES2) [ 39 ] began, which included younger subjects (≥55 years) and incorporated the services of a biobank (blood, urine, saliva, and hair). This cohort was meant to assess risk factors and biomarkers of age-related neurologic conditions.…”