Background: To achieve preventive and controlling activities of Brucellosis, we aimed this study as the first prospective Cohort survey on brucellosis in Iran. This Cohort in different phases from 2016 until 2020 going to investigate about brucella infection in the selected population of Famenin, a city located in Hamadan province, west of Iran. Study design: A prospective Cohort study. Methods: At the first phase of the study, Famenin inhabitants including urban and rural people were studied from September to December in 2016. All identified household’ s people referred to specified health centers and clinically visited. Blood sampling was done, then these subjects were joined and the follow-up was initiated. At the next step, the blood samples were examined using Wright kits and 2ME test for diagnosis the seroprevalence of brucellosis. Participants will be followed up for next years to examine clinical profiles of brucellosis and complete investigation about the main risk factors to reach strategies to control and reduce human and animal brucellosis. Results: In the first phase, according to statistical analysis, 3363 persons including 47clusters were enrolled and considered for future studies. All participants were interviewed and demographic questioners were successfully completed. Finally, 2367 blood samples were entered in serology analysis. The seroprevalence of brucellosis based on serologic titers of Wright and 2ME test was 6. 59% (95% CI: 5. 62%: 7. 66%) and 3. 46 %( 95% CI: 2. 72%: 4. 20%) respectively. Conclusions: In the first phase, an extensive range of data and information were collected as the basic data for the following phases of the Cohort.

Background: The Isfahan Thyroid Cohort Study (ITCS) is one of the few population-based epidemiological studies in Iran that investigates the prevalence and incidence of thyroid disorders including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiter, nodule, and iodine status. Methods: This Cohort is located in Isfahan, Iran. The first phase was initiated in 2006 with 2523 participants (1275 males, 1248 females). The participants were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling from the general residents of Isfahan, Iran. The study had two phases (2006 and 2011) and its third stage is planned for 2020– 2021. Results: The prevalence of thyroid function states was euthyroid (89. 3%, 95% CI: 88%– 90%), overt hypothyroidism (2. 8%, 95% CI: 2%‒ 3%), subclinical hypothyroidism (5. 8%, 95% CI: 4%– 6%), overt hyperthyroidism (0. 8%, 95% CI: 0. 4%‒ 1%), and subclinical hyperthyroidism (0. 99%, 95% CI: 0. 6%– 1%). Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were significantly associated with goiter. The incidence of thyroid dysfunction was reported as follows: overt hypothyroidism (2. 7, 95% CI: 1. 6– 3. 7), subclinical hypothyroidism (20. 6, 95% CI: 18– 23), overt hyperthyroidism (1. 9, 95% CI: 1– 2. 7) and subclinical hyperthyroidism (2. 7, 95% CI: 1. 6– 3. 7) per 1000 (person-year). Conclusion: We assessed the prevalence and incidence of thyroid disorders in Isfahan in the first and second phase, respectively. We are conducting the third phase of the ITCS in order to study the associations between thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) level and environmental factors such as infection.

The Guilan Cohort study was conducted on 10 520 men and women between 35-70 years of age in Guilan province and Some’ e Sara county, northern Iran, from October 8, 2014 to January 20, 2017 as part of the Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran (PERSIAN). Eligible participants were contacted over the phone and were invited to refer to the Cohort center. Demographic information was inquired during the phone call. Upon arrival of participants at the Cohort center, consent forms were filled out and additional data on demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, employment, fuel status and location, lifestyle habits, and sleep and food habits were obtained. Blood pressure and anthropometric indices were measured. Finally, biological samples were collected. There was a participation rate of 83. 2%, and a 15-year active follow-up was planned for all of the participants. The results showed that 53. 5% of the participants were female and 56. 1% of the participants were rural residents. A total of 1738 participants (16. 5%) were illiterate. Of the total Cohort participants, 4543 (43. 2%) were hypertensive. Hypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg, or a prior diagnosis of hypertension by a health professional, or taking antihypertensive medications. Approximately one-third of participants (n = 3435 or 32. 7%) were obese, and most were females (n = 2647, 77. 1%). Prevalence of diabetes (defined as fasting blood sugar equal or higher than 126 mg/dL or history of diagnosis with diabetes or taking glucose lowering medication) was 24. 1% (20. 2 % in males and 27. 3% in females). We also obtained laboratory samples for basic and genetic scientific research. According to laboratory evaluations, 3, 585 (34. 1%) of the participants had hematuria, and most of them were women (n = 2151 or 60%). The preliminary results of our study demonstrate a high prevalence of metabolic risk factors for Non-Communicable Diseases and mainly cardiovascular diseases in Guilan province, which merit detailed investigation of their intricate relationships. The population-based design of the study as well as its large sample size were the main strengths of our Cohort study that makes these investigations feasible. Researchers interested in using the information are invited to visit the following websites: http: //www. gums. ac. ir/Cohort and http: //persianCohort. com/.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common cause of end stage liver disease in Iran and in Golestan province. Large-scale population-based prospective Cohort studies with long term follow-up are the method of choice to accurately understand the natural course of HBV infection. To date, several studies of HBV epidemiology, natural history, progression to cirrhosis and association with HCC have been reported from other countries. However, few of these are prospective and fewer still are population-based. Moreover, the underlying molecular mechanisms and immunogenetic determinants of the outcome of HBV infection especially in low and middle income countries remains largely unknown. Therefore, the hepatitis B Cohort study (HBCS), nested as part of the Golestan Cohort Study (GCS), Golestan, Iran was established in 2008 with the objective to prospectively investigate the natural course of chronic hepatitis B with reference to its epidemiology, viral/host genetic interactions, clinical features and outcome in the Middle East where genotype D HBV accounts for>90% of infections. In 2008, a baseline measurement of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) was performed on stored serum samples of all GCS participants. A sub-Cohort of 3, 505 individuals were found to be HBsAg positive and were enrolled in the Golestan HBCS. In 2011, all first degree relatives of HBsAg positive subjects including their children and spouses were invited for HBV serology screening and those who were positive for HBsAg were also included in the Golestan HBCS.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of data regarding the incidence rate, etiology, risk factors, and natural course of thyroid disorders and their relationship with cardiovascular disease and mortality in populations undergoing nutrition transition. Therefore, we aimed to assess the natural course of thyroid disease in Tehranians, a population in nutrition transition.METHODS AND DESIGN: Between March 1997 and December 2004, 5769 individuals, aged ≥20 years, were selected from district No.13 of Tehran and followed up every three years. Data on risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, obesity, hypertension, low levels of physical activity, and dietary habits were obtained at baseline and again every three years. Cardiovascular and mortality outcomes were assessed in detail.CONCLUSION: The results of this study will provide a better recognition regarding the incidence and risk factors of thyroid disorders and their relationship with cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in a community in nutrition transition.

Background: The study of the smoking and drug use profile of the Tabari Cohort enrolment phase, the outcomes of which will be evaluated in the coming years, has proper comprehensiveness. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the cigarette and drug use status in the population of the Tabari Cohort study (TCS). Methods: In this study, the profile of cigarette and drug use in the TCS was evaluated. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 24 using percentage, mean, and standard deviation, chi-square, and independent t test. Findings: The frequency of daily smoking in the entire population was 9. 1%, and the frequencies in men and women were 21. 5% and 0. 6%, respectively (P < 0. 001). The frequency of exposure to smoking in the home, at present or in the past, in the entire population was 30. 5%, and in the populations living in urban and mountainous areas were 35. 4% and 19. 8%, respectively (P < 0. 001). The mean age at first use of cigarettes in the entire population was 20. 50 ±,7. 61, whereas the mean age of regular smoking was 23. 19 ±,8. 02. Furthermore, the frequency of experiencing drug abuse in the total population was 6. 1%, and the frequencies in men and women were 14. 1% and 0. 7%, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, cigarette smoking and drug use are significant in men, and overall exposure of the Tabari Cohort population to tobacco and drugs in the home is high. If effective prevention is not on the agenda, a significant proportion of the future outcomes in this population may be attributable to these risk factors.