The Rotterdam Study
The Rotterdam Study, also known as Erasmus Rotterdam Gezondheid Onderzoek (ERGO) in Dutch, is a large-scale, ongoing cohort study based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Initiated in 1990, its primary objective is to investigate the determinants of chronic diseases in the elderly. The study is designed to help understand how certain factors influence the aging process and the development of diseases that are prevalent among older adults.
Participants in the Rotterdam Study are residents of Ommoord, a district in Rotterdam, who were aged 55 years or older at the start of the study. The initial cohort (RS-I) consisted of 7,983 participants enrolled between 1990 and 1993. Subsequent extensions included additional cohorts: RS-II beginning in 2000 with 3,011 participants, RS-III starting in 2006 with 3,932 participants, and RS-IV starting in 2016 with 3,005 participants, all recruited from the same geographic area using similar inclusion criteria.
The sampling strategy is a community-based approach, where all inhabitants of the district within the eligible age range are invited to participate. This strategy aims to provide a representative sample of the elderly population in terms of age, gender, and health status, thereby allowing the findings to be generalized to similar populations.
Research conducted within the Rotterdam Study covers a broad spectrum of topics related to aging, including cardiovascular, neurological, endocrinological, ophthalmological, psychiatric, and locomotor disorders. The study’s comprehensive and integrative approach allows for the exploration of multimorbidity and complex interactions between various health factors.
Specifically, concerning the locomotor sector, the Rotterdam Study places a significant focus on conditions such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and other musculoskeletal disorders. It examines the epidemiology and risk factors associated with these conditions, their progression, and their impact on the quality of life. Examinations such as X-rays, DXA, pqCT, mechanograph and dynamometer are utilized to assess bone, joint health, mobility and physical capabilities.
Overall, the Rotterdam Study’s long-term follow-up and extensive biobanking of biological samples enable detailed genetic, molecular, and epidemiological research. This rich data source provides a foundation for developing preventive strategies and therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing the burden of chronic diseases in the elderly population.