- Introduction of the scheme
The Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP), is a cohort study that began in 2010 with the Sampling of all individuals aged 60 and older in Amirkola. According to statistics, in 2010, the population of the city was about 26,000, of which about 2,200 people had inclusion criteria to participate in the plan.
- The first phase
The first phase of the project began in February 2011 and completed in July 2012 and included 1616 elderly people in the first phase of this study (the percentage of participation was more than 70%).
Two sets of questionnaires were used to collect information from:
- Self questionnaire
- Clinic questionnaire
The questioners completed the first questionnaire by referring to the homes of the elderly and, if they wished, and so we asked them to come to the Fellowship Research Center by the next morning, with the use of prescription drugs, doctor's dossier, national card, etc. Healthy social life in the city of Amirkola while fasting.
Blood samples were collected from all elderly people for biochemical, hormonal and other tests, then clinical evaluations were performed to complete the following questionnaires by expert questioners. The time required to complete the two questionnaires was estimated to be between 2 and 2.5 hours.
- IADL
- IPSS
- The strength of the muscles and the quadriceps
- Anthropometric measurements
- Measuring the balance situation/test
- Blood pressure measurement
- Physical Activity (PASE)
- Depression (GDS)
- Cognitive impairment (MMSE)
- Social support
- ADL
- Tests performed include Biochemical tests:
- FBS, TG, Chol, HDL, LDL, BUN, Cr, Uric acid, Fe, TIBC, Ca, P, CBC, T3, T4, TSH, Vit D, PTH, Testosterone, Ferritin, PSA,
- DNA extraction
- Measurement of heavy metals
Also, some serum was stored and kept in storage, in the 80 ° C freezer, for further studies.
Complete eye examination and bone scan were performed in this study. The results of all tests and screening questionnaires were delivered to the patients within one to two weeks and, if necessary, were referred to the specialized centers of the university to be treated. It should be noted that all these steps were carried out free of charge.
In order to follow-up, a phone call was made with the elderly every six months, and a related questionnaire, which included events that took place over the past six months, was completed. Data is entered into the SPSS and records are kept at the research center.
The profile of this project has been published in the "International Journal of Epidemiology", and so far more than 50 other articles have been published in the domestic and foreign journals. See the link below:
Cohort Profile: The Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP)
- The second phase
The second phase of the project began in April 2016, with the presence of 2,206 elderly people in the city of Amirkola, and was completed on November 6, 2017, this phase included all examinations, questionnaires and first-stage trials, oral health examinations and Dentistry (by faculty members of the dentistry), as well as eye examinations (by the faculty members of the eye group), performing bone densitometry, examining and analyzing the balance, and walking and examining the nutritional status of the elderly at the Research Center .
- The questionnaires completed at this stage included:
SQFFQ
- Frailty
- Sleep
- Incontinence
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Traditional Medicine
Sampling of hair, nails, saliva in addition to serum, buffy coat, DNA and plasma samples was collected and stored in standard condition. Second stage profile published in Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine. See the link below:
Cohort Profile Update: The Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP)