Study protocol for the Maule Cohort (MAUCO) of chronic diseases, Chile 2014–2024

Abstract

BackgroundMaule Cohort (MAUCO), a Chilean cohort study, seeks to analyze the natural history of chronic diseases in the agricultural county of Molina (40,000 inhabitants) in the Maule Region, Chile. Molina´s population is of particular interest because in the last few decades it changed from being undernourished to suffering excess caloric intake, and it currently has the highest national rates of cardiovascular diseases, stomach cancer and gallbladder cancer. Between 2009 and 2011 Molina´s poverty rate dropped from 24.1 % to 13.5 % (national average 20.4 %); in this period the county went from insufficient to almost complete basic sanitation. Despite these advances, chemical pollutants in the food and air are increasing. Thus, in Molina risk factors typical of both under-developed and developed countries coexist, generating a unique profile associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and chronic diseases.Methods/DesignMAUCO is the core project of the recently established Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Universidad de Chile & Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. In this study, we are enrolling and following 10,000 adults aged 38 to 74 years over 10 years. All eligible Molina residents will be enrolled. Participants were identified through a household census. Consenting individuals answer an epidemiological survey exploring risk factors (psycho-social, pesticides, diet, alcohol, and physical activity), medical history and physical and cognitive conditions; provide fasting blood, urine, and saliva samples; receive an electrocardiogram, abdominal ultrasound and bio-impedance test; and take a hand-grip strength test. These subjects will be re-interviewed after 2, 5 and 7 years. Active surveillance of health events is in place throughout the regional healthcare system. The MAUCO Bio-Bank will store 30 to 50 aliquots per subject using an NIH/NCI biorepository system for secure and anonymous linkage of samples with data.DiscussionMAUCO´s results will help design public health interventions tailored to agricultural populations in Latin America.

Polypharmacy in a semirural community in Chile: Results from Maule Cohort

“…The present study is a secondary analysis of the cross‐sectional data provided by the participants of the MAUCO at study baseline. MAUCO is a prospective population‐based cohort developed in Molina, Chile, designed to study the natural history of chronic diseases in a semirural city . Molina is located in the central‐south region of Chile and, according to the 2017 census, it has a population of 45 976 inhabitants, 19 468 of them are in the recruiting age .…”

“…Molina is located in the central‐south region of Chile and, according to the 2017 census, it has a population of 45 976 inhabitants, 19 468 of them are in the recruiting age . The cohort comprises Molina inhabitants, aged 38‐74 years old at study baseline, excluding those who are unable to give informed consent autonomously or who have a terminal illness . More information about the cohort can be found elsewhere .…”

“…The cohort comprises Molina inhabitants, aged 38‐74 years old at study baseline, excluding those who are unable to give informed consent autonomously or who have a terminal illness . More information about the cohort can be found elsewhere . Currently, MAUCO has 8746 participants, however, the current sample includes 7198 people who signed the informed consent to participate in the study between December 2014 and March 2019 and further answered the questions regarding medication use.…”

“…MAUCO is a prospective population-based cohort developed in Molina, Chile, designed to study the natural history of chronic diseases in a semirural city. 14 Molina is located in the central-south region of Chile and, according to the 2017 census, it has a population of 45 976 inhabitants, 19 468 of them are in the recruiting age. 15 The cohort comprises Molina inhabitants, aged 38-74 years old at study baseline, excluding those who are unable to give informed consent autonomously or who have a terminal illness.…”

The current situation for gastric cancer in Chile

“…Given the increase in cardial cancer in our population, the investigation in our country could provide relevant details regarding the etiopathogenesis of the disease, as well as predictive and prognostic factors. It is interesting that the prospective cohort study MAUCO [11], which is currently ongoing, includes the population of the Molina commune (city in the southern-central area of Chile that has a high incidence of gastric cancer). This study will investigate exposure factors related to chronic diseases and will make way for the creation of a biobank, laying the foundations for possible population and genetic studies in patients with stomach cancer.…”