The epidemiological transition of diseases has led to non-communicable diseases replacing infectious diseases that often affect the elderly, in addition to risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and physical inactivity. In connection with these diseases, it has a high frequency in the elderly. Risk factors, all of which can be prevented or controlled.
Many older men and women are economically unproductive and consummate, socially isolated and in poor health, or at risk for chronic diseases and their complications.
Movement disorders, dementia, accidents, depression and heart disease are some of their major problems and due to these problems and insufficient social, emotional and financial support, especially among the low-income sections of society, the elderly, a very unfavorable life. They experience
. It seems that the elderly should be given the necessary attention and support due to their old age and reduced abilities, and that they are considered as vulnerable sections of society, and their needs should be assessed in physical, social and psychological dimensions. And be examined.
Now, given the rising trend of the elderly as a result of human success in increasing life expectancy in recent decades, the question is whether this increase in age will lead to a longer period of health, well-being and efficiency? Or, on the contrary, will the increase in disease lead to disability and dependence? What effect will aging have on costs and social life? Is it possible to provide a suitable structure for dealing with old age by planning so that it is combined with health and well-being?
Until recently, many geriatric studies have focused on specific aspects of aging, such as risk factors or the prevalence / incidence of geriatric diseases, most of which have been cross-sectional or longitudinal studies with a short follow-up period.
Since aging is a dynamic process, of course, these short-term cross-sectional or long-term studies have limitations in examining this process. And the consequences in a study are of great value. Prospective population-based studies have shown their scientific value in assessing internal and external exposures to "healthy aging", psychosocial consequences, and disease. But there are few large cohort studies that can assess the association between multiple exposures and the transition and prognosis stages of "healthy aging."
Valuable longitudinal studies of the elderly have been completed or are ongoing around the world, including some age groups 60-65 years and older, and recently to better study the multifaceted process and dynamics of aging studies of the middle-aged age group 45-50 years and older Have included.
In early geriatric studies, the emphasis on the disease process has been on admission to geriatric and damping institutions, but these studies have included the study of aging in the elderly, including people over 65 (eg, Bonn Longitudinal Study on Aging, Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging)
While these studies provided valuable information, they lacked the multidimensional nature of aging due to the loss of specimens. Valuable studies such as
HRS; The Health and Retirement Study
MIDUS; Midlife in the United States
ELSA; The English Longitudinal Study of Aging
SHARE; The Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe
They have been able to show their ability to study the interaction of internal and external factors related to health-related outcomes in old age, but the lack of multidisciplinary and focus on the elderly population has been one of their limitations.
Also, sampling problems, which are often outnumbered by older people, increase the decline due to high mortality in older age groups. On the other hand, the lack of biobanks and genetic studies are also highlighted in many of these studies.
Advances in life sciences (genetics, epigenetics, and metabolism), informatics, and community health research have changed the face of health research, leading longitudinal studies in the field of aging to be "multidisciplinary" and to include science. Biology and recent advances in demographic research.
New longitudinal studies in the field of aging should be designed to study biological (especially genetic and epigenetic), physical, psychological, and lifestyle factors in individuals with a large statistical capacity sufficient to show complex relationships as well as They also have rare encounters and consequences.
Few studies around the world have been recently designed, such as the Canadian Aging Longitudinal Study (CLSA), which incorporates frequent biological samples at intervals into its protocol, thus enabling the role of biomarkers to change over time in the aging process. Examine and evaluate the interactions of these changes with physical, economic, and psychological changes that have negative consequences and health benefits. This will lead to a more comprehensive study of the phenomenon of aging and a way to deal with it and plan. To have a society that fits the needs and conditions of the elderly and to have healthy elderly people.
Iran's population is also rapidly aging, according to the latest statistics published in 1390, the population of Iran over 60 years is about 5 million people. And according to UN forecasts, the population over 60 in Iran from 2011 to 2050 will grow by 26% to 33% of the total population (about 28 million people), which ranks third in the world in terms of aging rate. Give; In the same year (2050), the elderly population in the world is projected at 21%.
Several studies have examined or are being conducted in Iran on various aspects of aging, such as social, economic, mental health, and physical health, but they have been or are widely used cross-sectionally and with limited topics, and comprehensively. They have not evaluated various aspects of aging with appropriate methodology
In the studies, only two studies of aging cohort are being performed in Iran (Amirkola Elderly Cohort and Bushehr Elderly Health Cohort). Can be responsible for macro health planning and policies to promote aging health. Undoubtedly, without conducting a comprehensive research that covers all aspects of aging, proper planning will not be possible in order to properly deal with the phenomenon of aging.
Although developed countries are at the forefront of extensive research in the field of aging, there are significant differences in lifestyle, culture, social structure, service systems, care and health care in developed countries, the need for comprehensive research And shows the application according to the conditions of these countries. Therefore, for the reasons mentioned, the "Iranian Longitudinal Study on Aging" (IRILSA), which is the aging section of the Persian National Cohort (PERIAN-Elderly, www.persiancohort.com), considering the population 50 years and older, with The purpose of studying how health and wellness changes during the aging process and also to assess the different needs of the elderly in the transition from different stages from middle age to old age in Iran is designed to rely on the results to promote proper health and well-being of the elderly And before the alarming situation of the phenomenon of aging in Iran occurs, we should think about the necessary preparations and arrangements to face it.
The main study site of Neishabour city is located in Khorasan Razavi province. The study in this site is known as "Neyshabour Longitudinal Study on Aging; NeLSA".