Contributions and Implications of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

Abstract

Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS), an epidemiological study of non-communicable disease with 20 years follow up in a developing country in nutrition transition is a unique study in 15000 family based individuals, 3 - 75 years of age in a part of large city of Tehran. The success rate of recruitment for 20 years, intervention for lifestyle change, and thyroid, reproduction and cardiometabolic genetic studies derived from TLGS have paved suitable path towards precision medicine. In this review, baseline findings and changes of risk factors for the development of NCD including body weight, nutrition, physical activity, blood pressure, tobacco smoking, serum glucose and serum lipids as well as metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, quality of life and biochemical findings in TLGS cohort have been summarized. The results of community based intervention for lifestyle change caused decreases in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the incidence of diabetes. It is concluded that TLGS has served as a model for other cohort studies in Iran and the region; it has helped to mobilize scientists in developing countries; it has established locally needed definitions of NCD variables; has served as a model for cohort studies in developing countries in nutrition transition with all socioeconomic constraints and has helped manpower education and development of local CVD risk scores for implementation of NCD management.

Keywords: Iran; Non-Communicable Disease; Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

Figure 1.. Design of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Each phase lasted 3 years. 72.9% of the original cohort have participated in phase 6 (18 years of follow up). * Denotes percent of participation from previous phase.

Figure 2.. Mean body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure and percent obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) during 6 phases of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Each phase lasted 3 years. There have been increases in BMI, WC, diastolic BP and percent obesity during 18 years of follow up.

Figure 3.. Mean serum concentrations of glucose and lipid profile during 6 phases of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Each phase lasted 3 years. There have been decreases in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-C and increase in serum HDL-C, with no significant change in FPG.