title: The population-based Occupational and Environmental Health Prospective Cohort Study (AMIGO) in The Netherlands.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Occupational and environmental exposures remain important modifiable risk factors of public health. Existing cohort studies are often limited by the level of detail of data collected on these factors and health. It is also often assumed that the more healthy group is over-represented in cohort studies, which is of concern for their external validity. In this cohort profile, we describe how we set up the population-based Occupational and Environmental Health Cohort Study (AMIGO) to longitudinally study occupational and environmental determinants of diseases and well-being from a multidisciplinary and life course point of view. Reviewed by the Medical Ethics Research Committee of the University Medical Center Utrecht (protocol 10-268/C). All cohort members participate voluntarily and gave informed consent prior to their inclusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  14,829 adult cohort members (16% of those invited) consented and filled in the online baseline questionnaire. Determinants include chemical, biological, physical (eg, electromagnetic fields), and psychosocial factors. Priority health outcomes include cancer, neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and non-specific symptoms. Owing to the recruitment strategy via general practitioners of an established network, we also collect longitudinal data registered in their electronic medical records including symptoms, diagnosis and treatments. Besides the advantage of health outcomes that cannot be easily captured longitudinally by other means, this created a unique opportunity to assess health-related participation bias by comparing general practitioner-registered prevalence rates in the cohort and its source population.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found no indications of such a systematic bias. The major assets of the AMIGO approach are its detailed occupational and environmental determinants in combination with the longitudinal health data registered in general practice besides linkage to cancer and mortality registries and self-reported health.
  We are now in the phase of prospective follow-up, with the aim of continuing this for as long as possible (20+ years), pending future funding. Findings will be disseminated through scientific conferences and peer-reviewed journals, and through newsletters and the project website to participants, stakeholders and the wider public.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Slottje
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: C Joris
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Yzermans
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Joke C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Korevaar
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mariëtte
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hooiveld
authors.affiliation: Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Roel C H
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Vermeulen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004782:Environmental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: EPIDEMIOLOGY; OCCUPATIONAL & INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE; PRIMARY CARE; PUBLIC HEALTH