The Austrian LEAD (Lung hEart sociAl boDy) Study

Summary

Participation Requirements

Description

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and has a tremendous impact on the individual patient, the healthcare system, and the general public. Contrary to other chronic diseases, the natural history of COPD, commonly descri...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and has a tremendous impact on the individual patient, the healthcare system, and the general public. Contrary to other chronic diseases, the natural history of COPD, commonly described with the natural decline of lung function, has not been investigated sufficiently and the presence of various phenotypes is still under intensive investigation. The investigators aim to study the natural course of lung function and the development of COPD in a longitudinal, observational, population based cohort in Austria. Study population (male and female, age 6 - 80 years) will be randomly recruited via the national inhabitants register in both Vienna (urban cohort) and Lower Austria (rural cohort). Health examinations will include lung function testing, cardiovascular examinations, body composition and metabolic testing as well as socioeconomic counseling. Furthermore, the initiation of a bio bank will provide serological testing on biomarker and epigenetic analysis. In particular, the investigators intend to assess a) the age-related natural decline in lung function in the general population, b) the prevalence of COPD and the development of major respiratory symptoms in this disease, c) the prevalence of the most important COPD comorbidities (cardiovascular, metabolic and cognitive dysfunction) and d) the association between lung health and social status, individual long term exposure to air pollution and other toxic inhalants. This health examination will be the first investigation in Austria providing information about the most prevalent respiratory disease and it's comorbidities in a longitudinal approach.

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