title: Cohort profile: LifeLines DEEP, a prospective, general population cohort study in the northern Netherlands: study design and baseline characteristics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is a critical need for population-based prospective cohort studies because they follow individuals before the onset of disease, allowing for studies that can identify biomarkers and disease-modifying effects, and thereby contributing to systems epidemiology.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper describes the design and baseline characteristics of an intensively examined subpopulation of the LifeLines cohort in the Netherlands. In this unique subcohort, LifeLines DEEP, we included 1539 participants aged 18 years and older.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We collected additional blood (n = 1387), exhaled air (n = 1425) and faecal samples (n = 1248), and elicited responses to gastrointestinal health questionnaires (n = 1176) for analysis of the genome, epigenome, transcriptome, microbiome, metabolome and other biological levels. Here, we provide an overview of the different data layers in LifeLines DEEP and present baseline characteristics of the study population including food intake and quality of life. We also describe how the LifeLines DEEP cohort allows for the detailed investigation of genetic, genomic and metabolic variation for a wide range of phenotypic outcomes. Finally, we examine the determinants of gastrointestinal health, an area of particular interest to us that can be addressed by LifeLines DEEP.
  We have established a cohort of which multiple data levels allow for the integrative analysis of populations for translation of this information into biomarkers for disease, and which will offer new insights into disease mechanisms and prevention.
authors: Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Ettje F
authors: EF
authors: Tigchelaar
authors: Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Zhernakova
authors: Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Jackie A M
authors: JA
authors: Dekens
authors: Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Gerben
authors: G
authors: Hermes
authors: Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands Department of Toxicology, Nutrition and Toxicology Research (NUTRIM), Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Baranska
authors: Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: Zlatan
authors: Z
authors: Mujagic
authors: Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Genomics Coordination Center, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Morris A
authors: MA
authors: Swertz
authors: Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands Research Group in Food and Human Nutrition, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
authors: Angélica M
authors: AM
authors: Muñoz
authors: Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Genomics Coordination Center, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Deelen
authors: Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Maria C
authors: MC
authors: Cénit
authors: Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Lude
authors: L
authors: Franke
authors: LifeLines Cohort Study, Groningen, The Netherlands Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Salome
authors: S
authors: Scholtens
authors: LifeLines Cohort Study, Groningen, The Netherlands Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Ronald P
authors: RP
authors: Stolk
authors: Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Cisca
authors: C
authors: Wijmenga
authors: Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands Division of Human Nutrition, Section Nutrition and Epidemiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Edith J M
authors: EJ
authors: Feskens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers; D003625:Data Collection; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010641:Phenotype; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012107:Research Design; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: EPIDEMIOLOGY; GENETICS; PUBLIC HEALTH