The protocol of a population-based prospective cohort study in southwest of Iran to analyze common non-communicable diseases: Shahrekord cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundProspective cohort studies are considered ideal choices to study multiple outcomes and risk factors for Non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Our aim is to set-up the protocol and analyze risk factors, incidence rates, prevalence, trends, and the models of environmental and genetic determinants of NCDs and their outcomes as well as interaction among such determinants.MethodsShahrekord cohort study (SCS) that is a population-based prospective, study on a cohort consisting of people aged 35-70 years started in November 2015 in Iran. The sample size of the original cohort is at least 10,000 people. Annual follow-ups (200,000 person-year) of the cohort were designed to be conducted up to 2036. Exposures (a detailed demographic, socioeconomic, general health, quality of life, physical activity, anthropometric indexes, stress, health literacy, social capital, nutrition and eating habits, lifestyle, occupational history, living place, blindness, deafness, electrocardiography, lung capacities, blood pressure, sleep, smoking and alcohol, contact to animals, physical examinations and medical history, dental health, used drugs and supplements, glucose and lipid profiles) were measured by relevant standard methods and questionnaires. Incidence of common NCDs (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, gastrointestinal, respiratory, renal, hepatic, accidents, injury and neurological diseases), trend of risk factors, hospitalization, disability, and death were considered the outcomes of the cohort. The definition of disease was determined based on the International Classification of Diseases 10th version (ICD-10). Routine hematologic and biochemical tests were conducted and an all-inclusive biobank (blood, hair, nail, and urine specimens) of the cohort was stored for future studies. All steps of data collection and examinations are directly monitored by the quality control team.DiscussionThe SCS is a unique study conducted in southwest of Iran that is a notable work given the climate conditions and ethnicity population (especially in Bakhtiari) of this region. By providing high quality the protocol and introduce it, the SCS can serve as a solid foundation for management and researchers in southwest of Iran. The SCS provides prerequisites for collaboration and regional, national, and international studies on NCDs. Data are available at the modeling in health research center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran, for any collaboration.

Construct Validation of the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) in Shahrekord Cohort Study, Iran

“…The annual follow-ups of the cohort (200,000 cases per year) were designed to be conducted up to 2036. Detailed information regarding SCS has previously been published [15].…”

“…Since population, ethnography, self-care culture, and health literacy differ in various provinces in Iran, and no studies regarding health literacy questionnaires have been performed in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari (Iran), the present study aimed to assess the construct validity of HELIA questionnaire and determine the health literacy status in Shahrekord cohort study (SCS), which is the largest population-based study conducted in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province [15], so that its application is considered to be an important variable in the measurement of health literacy.…”

The Investigation of Psychometric Properties (Validity and Reliability Reassessment) of WHO QOL-BREF Questionnaire in Shahrekord Cohort Study

“…This study was designed to serve as one of the sources of the Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran. 7…”

Noncommunicable Diseases in The Southwest of Iran, A Region of High Altitude with Distinctive Ethnic Groups: Results of The Shahrekord Cohort Study

“…Despite its relatively small area (1% of the total area of Iran), CH&B holds 10% of the country's water resources. Because of its mountainous nature and its location where moist Mediterranean air converges, this province has relatively abundant rainfall (18,19). Because of the rare ethnic groups (Bakhtiari), Fars, and Turk living in this region, this cohort is unique in Iran and worldwide (18).…”

“…Tabari (17), and Arabs, among other ethnicities (13). No cohort study was previously conducted in the Bakhtiari ethnicity; therefore, the Shahrekord Cohort Study (SCS), as one of the PERSIAN Cohort Centers, has lled this gap to assess health patterns and risk factors in individuals from the Bakhtiari ethnicity (18). SCS was therefore conducted to study NCDs in an Iranian province with distinctive environmental, geographical (the highest region above sea level in Iran), and ethnic and social (Bakhtiari) characteristics compared with other Iranian provinces and the rest of the world.…”