The German National Cohort: aims, study design and organization

• Published in: European journal of epidemiology 2014-05, Vol.29 (5), p.371-382
• Main Author: Anon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Biomaterials; Cardiology; Cardiovascular diseases; Chronic Disease - epidemiology; Chronic diseases; Cohort Studies; Diabetes; Disease; Disease - etiology; Disease risk; Epidemiology; Female; General aspects; Germany - epidemiology; Humans; Infectious Diseases; Lifestyles; Male; Medical research; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Nervous system diseases; NEW STUDY; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Oncology; Patient assessment; Population Surveillance; Predisposing factors; Public Health; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Questionnaires; Research Design; Research universities; Socioeconomic factors; Universities; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0393-2990; 1573-7284
• DOI: 10.1007/s10654-014-9890-7

The German National Cohort (GNC) is a joint interdisciplinary endeavour of scientists from the Helm-'holtz and the Leibniz Association, universities, and other research institutes. Its aim is to investigate the causes for the development of major chronic diseases, i.e. cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative/-psychiatric diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, respiratory and infectious diseases, and their pre-clinical stages or functional health impairments. Across Germany, a random sample of the general population will be drawn by 18 regional study centres, including a total of 100,000 women and 100,000 men aged 20-69 years. The baseline assessments include an extensive interview and self-completion questionnaires, a wide range of medical examinations and the collection of various biomaterials. In a random subgroup of 20 % of the participants (n = 40,000) an intensified examination (" Level 2") programme will be performed. In addition, in five of the 18 study centres a total of 30,000 study participants will take part in a magnetic resonance imaging examination programme, and all of these participants will also be offered the intensified Level 2 examinations. After 4-5 years, all participants will be invited for a re-assessment. Information about chronic disease endpoints will be collected through a combination of active follow-up (including questionnaires every 2-3 years) and record linkages. The GNC is planned for an overall duration of 25-30 years. It will provide a major, central resource for population-based epidemiology in Germany, and will help to identify new and tailored strategies for early detection, prediction, and primary prevention of major diseases.