The Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN (PERSIAN) is a nationwide cohort study launched in the year 2014 in an attempt to encourage research in the fields of medicine, epidemiology, health, and nutrition. PERSIAN has empowered medical schools around the country with the necessary resources to take part in the study, in order to identify the risk factors related to the most prevalent chronic diseases in Iran, with the ultimate goal to reform the health system and enhance the health of Iranians, while contributing to the world’s medical knowledge.
Although the name PERSIAN Cohort mainly refers to the most extensive adult component, birth, youth and elderly components are also simultaneously being carried out in different parts of Iran. The PERSIAN Birth Cohort involves pregnant women and their newborn infants to investigate the relationship between genetic, environmental and social factors on human development, while the PERSIAN Youth Cohort focuses on psychiatric disorders and substance abuse. The PERSIAN Elderly Cohort, the so far smallest component, studies the aging process. (Learn more about the PERSIAN Birth, Youth and Elderly Cohorts under the Parallel Studies tab.)
PERSIAN Design
PERSIAN Cohort is a prospective study aiming to include 170,000 men and women throughout Iran. Originally intended to be carried out in 10 geographically distinct areas, the PERSIAN Cohort has now stretched to 17 regions of Iran, chosen based on local disease patterns, exposure to certain risk factors, population stability causes of death, local commitment and capacity. All individuals 35-70 years of age in the selected sites are recruited and those who agree to participate will be included in the study.
PERSIAN Objectives and Outcomes of Interest
The health-oriented and research-oriented objectives of the PERSIAN Cohort are divided into two categories as followed:
Research and Public Health Objectives:
To determine incidence/ incidence rates of different non-communicable diseases or outcomes
To estimate the risk and protective factors of non-communicable diseases in a representative sample of middle aged Iranian population
To determine all-cause mortality rates, as well as specific mortality rates of the leading causes of death
To evaluate the relationship between genetic, life style / socioeconomic status and environmental risk factors and the most important non-communicable diseases by case cohort and nested case control designs that will be implemented on the cohort infrastructures
To evaluate time trends of lifestyle and environmental factors and the outcomes of interest in the different cohort sites of Iran
To assess the relationship between genetic markers and NCDs and comparing them among the different Iranian ethnic groups
To evaluate the effectiveness of the most relevant interventions, and to explore the effectiveness of novel interventions, for reducing important non-communicable outcomes through community interventional trials that will be implemented on the population subsets
Health System Research objectives:
To design/improve and optimize different Health Information Systems such as a Cancer Registry, Death Registry, Hospital Information System, etc.
To improve the quality of health care services
To build a population-based research infrastructure for medical universities and to disseminate the concept of “Health System Research” in medical education
To enhance national collaborations between medical universities and health research institutes for joint medical and epidemiological research projects
To establish the largest biobank in Iran for basic and genetic scientific research and discovery of biomarkers and other biological determinants of disease
To establish a practical field for research and training of medical students, residents, and fellows
To enhance international collaborations with recognized medical universities and research institutions in order to plan joint projects, and train students and young researchers
Outcomes of Interest
Deaths by cause
Incidence of major non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and chronic digestive, respiratory, renal, hepatic, and neurological diseases
Trends in major risk factors including anthropometric, physiological, life style, and environmental factors
Data and Specimen Collection
Questionnaires and Physical Examinations
As part of the data gathering for the PERSIAN Cohort, a comprehensive interviewer-administered electronic questionnaire consisting of 3 major sections—General, Medical and Nutrition—has been developed, encompassing many different aspects of an individual’s life, which may have an impact on their health status. In addition to the questionnaires, a physical examination is performed and pulse, blood pressure and anthropometric measurements are also recorded.
Data is gathered at each location using a pre-designed software and pooled into a Central Data Bank. Topics covered in the PERSIAN Cohort questionnaire are as followed:
The PERSIAN Cohort is governed by a Central Committee, led by Dr. Reza Malekzadeh, the Deputy of Technology and Research at the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME). In addition, principle investigators (PIs) from each university also govern their own site. While the MOHME provided the necessary funds to set the cohort infrastructure at the cohort sites, each university is responsible for their funding, with some support from the MOHME.
Contact us
PERSIAN Cohort Central Committee
Address:
Digestive Diseases Research Institute,
Kargare Shomali Ave. Tehran, I.R. Iran, 14117-13135
