Measurements from the Alpha Omega Cohort

At baseline (2002-2006), patients were examined by trained research nurses, either at home or in the hospital. The nurses measured height, body weight, waist circumference and blood pressure. Blood samples were taken. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data on disease history, current health, medication use, dietary pattern, physical activity, smoking pattern and alcohol consumption.

Interviews and blood samples

We have a collection of blood samples that have been analyzed for the measurement of glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and the fatty acid composition of cholesteryl esters. In addition to that, we have the processed annual telephone interviews that were done to collect data on health status and medication use.

Follow-up for morbidity and mortality

Follow-up for vital status and cause-specific mortality is ongoing. Data are obtained from the Dutch National Mortality Registry (Statistics Netherlands). One patient was lost to follow-up and censored after 2.9 y.

Fatal events were coded according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, combining primary and secondary causes of death. CVD mortality included IHD (codes I20–I25), cardiac arrest (I46), heart failure (I50), stroke (I60–I69), and sudden death, undefined (R96). IHD mortality included codes I20–I25, I46, and R96.

The benefits of a large-scale trial:

The primary purpose of large-scale trials is to test hypotheses without the potential confounding that so often limits the interpretation of results of observational prospective cohort studies. Moreover, the data from large-scale trials can also be used for observational research. In the Alpha Omega Trial the patients were included between May 2002 and December 2006. The data can be used to study trends in cardiovascular risk management and risk factors at the population level. It is also possible to study cross-sectional and prospective associations of diet and lifestyle with risk factors, biomarkers and indicators of health.

Data collection

Download our questionnaires and data dictionaries, or find the tables below for an overview of our measurements.

Questionnaires (in Dutch)
Data dictionaries