مروری بر مطالعات کوهورت مبتنی بر جمعیت در ایران

Background and purpose: Cohort studies are one of the best types of observational studies in investigating the causal relationship, diseases etiology, and determining the incidence and natural history of diseases. In recent decades cohort studies played a major role in identification of environmental, cardiovascular and cancers risk factors. Considering the important role of cohort studies in public health, this study aimed to review population based cohort studies in Iran. Materials and methods: In this review article, Pubmed and Scopus databases and Iranian population based cohort studies websites were searched. Keywords included cohort, population based cohort, and Iran. Results: Six population based cohort studies running in Iran were found including Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, Golestan and Isfahan Cohort Studies, Shahroud Eye Cohort Study, Amirkola Health and Ageing Project, and KERCADR study. The first population based cohort study in Iran was Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study which began in 1997. We also found other cohorts with various follow up time from months to years on diseased people, pregnant women, infants and specific occupational groups. Also, some historical cohorts such as Sradasht cohort study were found. Conclusion: Several historical cohorts and six population based cohort studies were launched in different places in Iran. The oldest (Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study) is being conducted for 18 years. These studies have relatively good variety in terms of population, diversity of exposure and research objectives and can play a prominent role in production of knowledge which will be very important in evidence based policy making in public health.