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. 2018 Apr 1;187(4):647-655.
doi: 10.1093/aje/kwx314.

Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran (the PERSIAN Cohort Study): Rationale, Objectives, and Design

Hossein Poustchi  1 , Sareh Eghtesad  1 , Farin Kamangar  2   3 , Arash Etemadi  4 , Abbas-Ali Keshtkar  5 , Azita Hekmatdoost  6 , Zahra Mohammadi  1 , Zahra Mahmoudi  1 , Amaneh Shayanrad  1 , Farzin Roozafzai  1 , Mahdi Sheikh  1 , Alireza Jalaeikhoo  1 , Mohammad Hossein Somi  7 , Fariborz Mansour-Ghanaei  8 , Farid Najafi  9 , Ehsan Bahramali  10 , Amirhoushang Mehrparvar  11 , Alireza Ansari-Moghaddam  12 , Ahmad Ali Enayati  13 , Ali Esmaeili Nadimi  14 , Abbas Rezaianzadeh  15 , Nader Saki  16 , Fatemeh Alipour  17 , Roya Kelishadi  18 , Afarin Rahimi-Movaghar  19 , Nayyereh Aminisani  20 , Paolo Boffetta  21 , Reza Malekzadeh  3
Affiliations

Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran (the PERSIAN Cohort Study): Rationale, Objectives, and Design

Hossein Poustchi et al. Am J Epidemiol. .

Abstract

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for 76% of deaths in Iran, and this number is on the rise, in parallel with global rates. Many risk factors associated with NCDs are preventable; however, it is first necessary to conduct observational studies to identify relevant risk factors and the most appropriate approach to controlling them. Iran is a multiethnic country; therefore, in 2014 the Ministry of Health and Medical Education launched a nationwide cohort study-Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran (PERSIAN)-in order to identify the most prevalent NCDs among Iran's ethnic groups and to investigate effective methods of prevention. The PERSIAN study consists of 4 population-based cohorts; the adult component (the PERSIAN Cohort Study), described in this article, is a prospective cohort study including 180,000 persons aged 35-70 years from 18 distinct areas of Iran. Upon joining the cohort, participants respond to interviewer-administered questionnaires. Blood, urine, hair, and nail samples are collected and stored. To ensure consistency, centrally purchased equipment is sent to all sites, and the same team trains all personnel. Routine visits and quality assurance/control measures are taken to ensure protocol adherence. Participants are followed for 15 years postenrollment. The PERSIAN study is currently in the enrollment phase; cohort profiles will soon emerge.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Locations of research centers in the PERSIAN Cohort Study, Iran, 2014–2017. The sites were chosen so that all of the major ethnic groups in Iran, as well as variable climates and geographical regions, are included. PERSIAN, Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Workflow at the PERSIAN Cohort Study sites, Iran, 2014–2017. Anyone referred to a cohort site will go through these steps to complete the enrollment phase data and sample collection. While the first 3 steps must be followed in order, the general, medical, and nutrition parts of the PERSIAN questionnaire can be completed in any order. PERSIAN, Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Follow-up procedures used in the PERSIAN Cohort Study, Iran, 2014–2017. As part of the follow-up process, annual phone calls are made to all participants and, based on this flow chart, the necessary questionnaires are completed. CVD, cardiovascular disease; PERSIAN, Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran.
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