PERSIAN Birth Cohort

With an increasing interest in the influence of various biological and environmental factors on human development, the Birth Cohort was designed parallel to the PERSIAN Cohort, to further study this critical time of life. The overarching aim of the PERSIAN Birth Cohort is to study Developmental Origins of Health and Diseases (DOHaD) in the Iranian population. The study is conducted in the cities of Isfahan and Yazd, and is planned to start in two other cities as well.

General objectives of the Cohort are as followed:

1. To investigate the relationship between genetic characteristics, reproductive factors, perinatal, socioeconomical, cultural, and environmental factors on human development, and eventually procedural living with disabilities during infancy, childhood and adulthood
2. To explain the complex interaction between genetic factors and lifestyle with the social and natural environments
3. To provide evidence for public health preventative measures

The main outcomes of interest in the PERSIAN Birth Cohort include:

1. Pregnancy outcomes
2. Child mental and physical health,
3. Growth and development
4. Early- and late-onset chronic non-communicable diseases

Visit the PERSIAN Birth Cohort Website

PERSIAN Eye Cohort

The PERSIAN Eye Cohort was designed in an effort to investigate and learn more about the prevalence of eye diseases and their relationship with systemic problems, dietary patterns, geographical and ethnical differences, and to contribute to the general knowledge in the field. The PERSIAN Eye Cohort is carried out in six of the PERSIAN Cohort sites, including Some’e Sara (Guilan), Shabestar (East Azerbaijan), Rafsanjan (Kerman), Zahedan (Sistan and Balouchestan), Ahvaz (Khouzestan), and Yazd (Yazd). All individuals who enroll in the PERSIAN Cohort also take part in the PERSIAN Eye Cohort at these sites. After completing an Eye Questionnaire, participants are visited by a trained optometrist and their refractive errors are evaluated. They are also screened and referred for a complete ophthalmologic exam by an ophthalmologist, in case they meet any of the following criteria: history of diabetes, risk factors for glaucoma or retinal diseases, strabismus, significant visual deficit or any other suspicious finding. For a more objective recording—to be evaluated later in central reading centers—imaging studies such as fundus photography, and slit photos are performed for all individuals.

General Objectives of the Cohort are as followed:

1. To determine the prevalence of eye diseases such as refractive errors, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, age-related retinal degeneration, glaucoma, and strabismus in different regions of Iran and indifferent ethnicities
2. To determine the degree to which eye disorders affect individuals’ general health and wellbeing.

PERSIAN Elderly Cohort

The Elderly component of the PERSIAN Cohort, also known as “Iranian Longitudinal Study on Ageing” (IRILSA), is a comprehensive assessment of the different aspects of ageing, monitoring the changes in health and well-being, and assessment of different needs during the ageing transition. The PERSIAN Elderly Cohort has launched in the city of Neyshabour (Razavi Khorasan) and is planned to start in Yazd and Kermanshah as well. Data is collected on a wide range of different factors including economic, social, psychological, cognitive, health, biological and genetic factors.

General Objectives of the Cohort are as followed:

1. To describe accurately the socioeconomic status, health  and wellbeing  of older people 

1. To monitor the changes in health and well-being, and assessment of different needs during the ageing transition (by forming a longitudinal database including a range of socioeconomic, behavioral, environmental factors, health care access and biomarkers)
2. To identify the demographic, socioeconomic and health related factors of physical and mental health, social engagement/ exclusion among the old
3. To explore the relationship/interrelationship between a range of risk  factors/protective factors on healthy ageing and longevity
4. To identify the high risk groups to target the preventive strategies and individualized care
5. To identify the basic infrastructure needs  (social needs, home care,…) in order to initiate a new/ improve the current system for old population in Iran

The main outcomes of interest in the PERSIAN Elderly Cohort include:

1. Frailty/disability
2. Morbidity/multi-morbidity of and mortality from common chronic diseases
3. Hospitalization and institutionalism
4. Changes in health needs over time

PERSIAN Youth Cohort

The youth population (aged 15-34 years) of three PERSIAN Cohort sites, Fasa, Ravansar, and Rafsanjan are invited to participate in the Youth Cohort, with a primary focus on mental health and substance use in that population. The PERSIAN Youth Cohort aims to include 9000 individuals of both genders.

General Objectives of the Cohort are as followed:

1. To determine the annual incidence of common psychiatric disorders, psychosocial conditions and injuries in a population-based cohort in Iran
2. To determine the risk and protective factors for the annual incidence of common psychiatric disorders, psychosocial conditions and injuries
3. To determine the course and outcomes of common psychiatric disorders
4. To determine the risk and protective factors for the course and outcomes of common psychiatric disorders

The main outcomes of interest of the PERSIAN Youth Cohort include:

1. Incidence of common psychiatric disorders
2. Initiation of alcohol and drug use
3. Committing suicide
4. Incidence of traffic and non-traffic injuries
5. Hospitalization for mental illness
6. Course of mental disorder: chronicity, relapse, remission, and hospitalization
7. Death

Investigators in the PERSIAN Youth Cohort (Tehran Team)

Principal Investigator

Afarin Rahimi-Movaghar, MD, MPH
Professor of Psychiatry, Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Co-Principal Investigators (in alphabetic order)

Masoumeh Amin-Esmaeili, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Ahmad Hajebi, MD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Tehran Psychiatric Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences
General Director, Bureau for Psycho-social Health, Ministry of Health

Abbas Motevalian, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of epidemiology, Iran University of Medical Sciences

Ramin Mojtabai, MD, MPH, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Hossein Poustchi, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, Deputy of Education, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Vandad Sharifi, MD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Coordinator

Leila Hosseini, BSc
Researcher, Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Field Work

Enrollment of the PERSIAN Youth Cohort (PYC) started in April 2015 in Ravansar (Kermanshah), May 2015 in Fasa (Fars), and January 2017 in Rafsanjan (Kerman).

Active follow up and telephone interview will be done annually for mental health status, mental health service utilization, hospitalization, suicide attempt and death. First follow-up by telephone interview started in April 2016. Face-to-face comprehensive interviews will be conducted every 2 years.