About The PERSIAN CohortThe 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 DesignPERSIAN 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 InterestThe health-oriented and research-oriented objectives of the PERSIAN Cohort are divided into two categories as followed: Research and Public Health Objectives:
Health System Research objectives:
Outcomes of Interest
Data and Specimen CollectionQuestionnaires 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: General Questionnaire
Medical Questionnaire
Nutrition Questionnaire
![]() Biological Samples Blood, hair, and urine samples are collected from participants at the initial data gathering and stored in a biobank. Read more about the PERSIAN Cohort Biobank Funding and GovernanceThe 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.
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Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN (PERSIAN Cohort) |