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. 2015 Aug 28;5(8):e006772.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006772.

Cohort profile: LifeLines DEEP, a prospective, general population cohort study in the northern Netherlands: study design and baseline characteristics

Ettje F Tigchelaar  1 , Alexandra Zhernakova  1 , Jackie A M Dekens  1 , Gerben Hermes  2 , Agnieszka Baranska  3 , Zlatan Mujagic  4 , Morris A Swertz  5 , Angélica M Muñoz  6 , Patrick Deelen  7 , Maria C Cénit  8 , Lude Franke  8 , Salome Scholtens  9 , Ronald P Stolk  9 , Cisca Wijmenga  1 , Edith J M Feskens  10
Affiliations

Cohort profile: LifeLines DEEP, a prospective, general population cohort study in the northern Netherlands: study design and baseline characteristics

Ettje F Tigchelaar et al. BMJ Open. .

Abstract

Purpose: There is a critical need for population-based prospective cohort studies because they follow individuals before the onset of disease, allowing for studies that can identify biomarkers and disease-modifying effects, and thereby contributing to systems epidemiology.

Participants: This paper describes the design and baseline characteristics of an intensively examined subpopulation of the LifeLines cohort in the Netherlands. In this unique subcohort, LifeLines DEEP, we included 1539 participants aged 18 years and older.

Findings to date: We collected additional blood (n = 1387), exhaled air (n = 1425) and faecal samples (n = 1248), and elicited responses to gastrointestinal health questionnaires (n = 1176) for analysis of the genome, epigenome, transcriptome, microbiome, metabolome and other biological levels. Here, we provide an overview of the different data layers in LifeLines DEEP and present baseline characteristics of the study population including food intake and quality of life. We also describe how the LifeLines DEEP cohort allows for the detailed investigation of genetic, genomic and metabolic variation for a wide range of phenotypic outcomes. Finally, we examine the determinants of gastrointestinal health, an area of particular interest to us that can be addressed by LifeLines DEEP.

Future plans: We have established a cohort of which multiple data levels allow for the integrative analysis of populations for translation of this information into biomarkers for disease, and which will offer new insights into disease mechanisms and prevention.

Keywords: EPIDEMIOLOGY; GENETICS; PUBLIC HEALTH.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean and SD of crude and adjusted quality of life scores, 2 component scores and 8 group scores in the LifeLines DEEP population (n=1539) compared to a national sample of the Dutch population. Adjusted score is adjusted for gender and age. PCS, physical component score; MCS, mental component score; PF, physical functioning; RP, role-physical; BP, bodily pain; GH, general health; VT, vitality; SF, social functioning; RE, role-emotional; MH, mental health.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Functional bowel disorders in the LifeLines DEEP cohort based on Rome III criteria (n=1176). IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome): pain or discomfort at least 2–3 days/month, IBS_strict: pain or discomfort more than 1 day/week, FBD, functional bowel disorder, healthy gut, lowest possible score on Rome III questionnaire.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Qualitative intake of (A) bread, (B) coffee, (C) meat and poultry, (D) vegetables, (E) fruit, (F) fish, (G) milk and buttermilk and (H) alcoholic beverages, in LifeLines DEEP (n=1539). Bars represent: ‘not this month’, ‘1 day/month’, ‘2–3 days/month’, ‘1 day/week’, ‘2–3 days/week’, ‘4–5 days/week’ and ‘6–7 days/week’.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Change in abundance of Actinobacteria on ageing.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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