Multidisciplinary approach to functional somatic syndromes: study protocol for a population-based prospective cohort...

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Genetics
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Functional somatic syndromes (FSS) are complex conditions with poorly understood etiologies.
• Investigating the interplay of genetic and environmental factors is crucial for understanding FSS.
• The Isfahan functional disorders (ISFUN) cohort study addresses this gap in the Iranian population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the interplay of genetic and environmental factors in the characteristics of FSS.
• To investigate the epidemiology, risk factors, course, and prognosis of FSS in an adult Iranian population.
• To develop a new delimitation of FSS using an integrated multidisciplinary approach with phenotypic and multiomics data.

Main Methods:

• A population-based prospective cohort study design.
• Recruitment of 1943 seemingly healthy adults (18-65 years) with annual visits over 4 years.
• Data collection via structured questionnaires, validated medical interviews, DNA genotyping, microbial amplicon sequencing, and urine analysis for multiomics profiling.

Main Results:

• Data collection and participant recruitment are ongoing.
• Genomic, microbiota, and metabolomic profiling are in progress.
• Study completion is expected in 2022, with initial findings anticipated thereafter.

Conclusions:

• The ISFUN cohort study is establishing a comprehensive dataset to elucidate FSS.
• Findings are expected to advance the understanding and classification of FSS.
• Results will be disseminated through publications and scientific presentations.