Authors

Mojtaba Farjam1,2, Hossein Bahrami3,4, Ehsan Bahramali1,5*, Javad Jamshidi1,6, Alireza Askari1, Habibollah Zakeri1,7,
Reza Homayounfar1, Hossein Poustchi8 and Reza Malekzadeh8

  1. Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
  2. Department of Medical Pharmacology, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
  3. Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
  4. Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
  5. Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran. ebahramali@fums.ac.ir.
  6. Cardiology Department, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran. ebahramali@fums.ac.ir.
  7. Department of Medical Genetics, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
  8. Anesthesiology Department, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
  9. Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
bmj open

Abstract

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become the main causes of morbidity and mortality even
in rural areas of many developing countries, including Iran. In view of this increased risk, Fasa Cohort Study (FACS)
has been established to assess the risk factors for NCDs with the ultimate goal of providing optimal risk calculators
for Iranian population and finding grounds for interventions at the population level.
Methods: In a population-based cohort, at least 10,000 people within the age range of 35 to 70 years old from
Sheshdeh, the suburb of Fasa city and its 24 satellite villages are being recruited. A detailed demographic,
socioeconomic, anthropometric, nutrition, and medical history is obtained for each individual besides limited
physical examinations and determination of physical activity and sleep patterns supplemented by body
composition and electrocardiographic records. Routine laboratory assessments are done and a comprehensive
biobank is compiled for future biological investigations. All data are stored online using a dedicated software.
Discussion: FACS enrolls the individuals from rural and little township areas to evaluate the health conditions and
analyze the risk factors pertinent to major NCDs. This study will provide an evidence-based background for further
national and international policies in preventive medicine. Yearly follow ups are designed to assess the health
events in the participating population. It is believed that the results would construct a contemporary knowledge of
Iranian high risk health characteristics and behaviors as well as the platform for further interventions of risk
reduction in a typical Iranian population. Constantly probing for future advances in NCDs prevention and
management, the accumulated database and biobank serves as a potential for state of the art research and
international collaborations.

Keywords: Non-communicable diseases, Cohort study, Risk factors, Developing countries

How to Cite

Farjam M, Bahrami H, Bahramali E, Jamshidi J, Askari A, Zakeri H, Homayounfar R, Poustchi H, Malekzadeh R. A cohort study protocol to analyze the predisposing factors to common chronic non-communicable diseases in rural areas: Fasa Cohort Study. BMC Public Health. 2016 Oct 18;16(1):1090. doi: 10.1186/s12889-016-3760-z. PMID: 27756262; PMCID: PMC5069851.