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. 2020 May;35(5):483-517.
doi: 10.1007/s10654-020-00640-5. Epub 2020 May 4.

Objectives, design and main findings until 2020 from the Rotterdam Study

M Arfan Ikram  1 , Guy Brusselle  2   3 , Mohsen Ghanbari  2 , André Goedegebure  4 , M Kamran Ikram  2   5 , Maryam Kavousi  2 , Brenda C T Kieboom  2 , Caroline C W Klaver  2   6 , Robert J de Knegt  7 , Annemarie I Luik  2 , Tamar E C Nijsten  8 , Robin P Peeters  9 , Frank J A van Rooij  2 , Bruno H Stricker  2 , André G Uitterlinden  9 , Meike W Vernooij  2   10 , Trudy Voortman  2
Affiliations

Objectives, design and main findings until 2020 from the Rotterdam Study

M Arfan Ikram et al. Eur J Epidemiol. 2020 May.

Abstract

The Rotterdam Study is an ongoing prospective cohort study that started in 1990 in the city of Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The study aims to unravel etiology, preclinical course, natural history and potential targets for intervention for chronic diseases in mid-life and late-life. The study focuses on cardiovascular, endocrine, hepatic, neurological, ophthalmic, psychiatric, dermatological, otolaryngological, locomotor, and respiratory diseases. As of 2008, 14,926 subjects aged 45 years or over comprise the Rotterdam Study cohort. Since 2016, the cohort is being expanded by persons aged 40 years and over. The findings of the Rotterdam Study have been presented in over 1700 research articles and reports. This article provides an update on the rationale and design of the study. It also presents a summary of the major findings from the preceding 3 years and outlines developments for the coming period.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Cancer and related diseases; Cardiovascular diseases; Cohort study; Dermatological diseases; Endocrine diseases; Epidemiologic methods; Genetic and molecular epidemiology; Liver diseases; Neurological diseases; Nutrition and lifestyle epidemiology; Oncology; Ophthalmic diseases; Otolaryngological diseases; Pharmacoepidemiology; Population imaging; Psychiatric diseases; Renal diseases; Respiratory diseases.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Diagram of examination cycles of the Rotterdam Study (RS). RS-I-1 refers to the baseline examination of the original cohort (pilot phase 07/1989–12/1989; cohort recruitment 01/1990–09/1993). RS-I- 2, RS-I-3, RS-I-4, RS-I-5, RS-I-6, and RS-I-7 refer to re-examinations of the original cohort members. RS-II-1 refers to the extension of the cohort with persons from the study district that had become 55 years since the start of the study or those of 55 years or over that migrated into the study district. RS-II-2, RS-II-3, and RS-II-4 refer to re-examinations of the extension cohort. RS-III-1 refers to the baseline examination of all persons aged 45 years and over living in the study district that had not been examined already (i.e., mainly comprising those aged 45–60 years). RS-III-2 refers to the first re-examination of this third cohort. Examination RS-I-4 and RS-II-2 were conducted as one project and feature an identical research program. Similarly, examinations RS-I-5, RS-II-3, and RS-III-2 share the same program items. Also, examinations RS-I-6 and RS-II-4 are conducted as one project. RS-IV-1 refers to the baseline visit of the fourth cohort, established in 2016. Re-examinations RS-II-5 and RS-III-3 for the second and third cohort will start early 2020
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