title: Methods of data collection and definitions of cardiac outcomes in the Rotterdam Study.
abstract: The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is rising. Therefore, adequate risk prediction and identification of its determinants is increasingly important. The Rotterdam Study is a prospective population-based cohort study ongoing since 1990 in the city of Rotterdam, The Netherlands. One of the main targets of the Rotterdam Study is to identify the determinants and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. Case finding in epidemiological studies is strongly depending on various sources of follow-up and clear outcome definitions. The sources used for collection of data in the Rotterdam Study are diverse and the definitions of outcomes in the Rotterdam Study have changed due to the introduction of novel diagnostics and therapeutic interventions. This article gives the methods for data collection and the up-to-date definitions of the cardiac outcomes based on international guidelines, including the recently adopted cardiovascular disease mortality definitions. In all, detailed description of cardiac outcome definitions enhances the possibility to make comparisons with other studies in the field of cardiovascular research and may increase the strength of collaborations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maarten J G
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Leening
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kavousi
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heeringa
authors.forename: Frank J A
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: van Rooij
authors.forename: Jolande
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verkroost-van Heemst
authors.forename: Jaap W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Deckers
authors.forename: Francesco U S
authors.initials: FU
authors.lastname: Mattace-Raso
authors.forename: Gijsbertus
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ziere
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hofman
authors.forename: Bruno H Ch
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Stricker
authors.forename: Jacqueline C M
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Witteman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011786:Quality Control; D012042:Registries