Birjand longitudinal aging study (BLAS): the objectives, study protocol and design (wave I: baseline data gathering)

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Public Health

Background:

• Global population aging presents significant healthcare challenges, including geriatric syndromes like frailty, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and dementia.
• Understanding age-related health changes is crucial for preventing and treating health issues in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the protocol for the first wave of the Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study (BLAS), a community-based prospective cohort study.
• To establish a baseline for long-term research on aging in a population aged 60 years and above.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort study involving urban and rural residents aged 60+ in Birjand County.
• Data collection included sociodemographic information, medical history, lifestyle, functional status, cognitive function, quality of life, and social capital through interviews.
• Objective measures included anthropometrics, electrocardiography, ophthalmologic examinations, and biobanking of blood samples for biochemical and hematologic analysis.

Main Results:

• The baseline data for the first wave of the Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study (BLAS) were collected from a community-dwelling population aged 60 years and older.
• The study achieved a 65% response rate among the selected older subjects in urban and rural areas.

Conclusions:

• The BLAS protocol provides a foundation for identifying risk factors associated with the aging process.
• Findings will inform policymakers about the need for regional and national healthcare services tailored to the aging population.