Abstract
BackgroundThe metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a risk cluster for a number of secondary diseases. The implementation of prevention programs requires early detection of individuals at risk. However, access to health care providers is limited in structurally weak regions. Brandenburg, a rural federal state in Germany, has an especially high MetS prevalence and disease burden. This study aims to validate and test the feasibility of a setup for mobile diagnostics of MetS and its secondary diseases, to evaluate the MetS prevalence and its association with moderating factors in Brandenburg and to identify new ways of early prevention, while establishing a “Mobile Brandenburg Cohort” to reveal new causes and risk factors for MetS.MethodsIn a pilot study, setups for mobile diagnostics of MetS and secondary diseases will be developed and validated. A van will be equipped as an examination room using point-of-care blood analyzers and by mobilizing standard methods. In study part A, these mobile diagnostic units will be placed at different locations in Brandenburg to locally recruit 5000 participants aged 40-70 years. They will be examined for MetS and advice on nutrition and physical activity will be provided. Questionnaires will be used to evaluate sociodemographics, stress perception, and physical activity. In study part B, participants with MetS, but without known secondary diseases, will receive a detailed mobile medical examination, including MetS diagnostics, medical history, clinical examinations, and instrumental diagnostics for internal, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and cognitive disorders. Participants will receive advice on nutrition and an exercise program will be demonstrated on site. People unable to participate in these mobile examinations will be interviewed by telephone. If necessary, participants will be referred to general practitioners for further diagnosis.DiscussionThe mobile diagnostics approach enables early detection of individuals at risk, and their targeted referral to local health care providers. Evaluation of the MetS prevalence, its relation to risk-increasing factors, and the “Mobile Brandenburg Cohort” create a unique database for further longitudinal studies on the implementation of home-based prevention programs to reduce mortality, especially in rural regions.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00022764; registered 07 October 2020—retrospectively registered.
Highlights
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a risk cluster for a number of secondary diseases
They will be examined for MetS and advice on nutrition and physical activity will be provided
Since the in-patient treatment of myocardial infarction in Brandenburg does not differ from that in urban regions [18], the increased mortality could be due to a high burden of risk factors and deficits in the early detection of individuals at risk
Summary
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a risk cluster for a number of secondary diseases. The implementation of prevention programs requires early detection of individuals at risk. Brandenburg, a rural federal state in Germany, has an especially high MetS prevalence and disease burden. In the USA, rural areas demonstrate a higher type 2 diabetes mellitus prevalence [13] and an elevated probability of hospital mortality compared to urban regions [14]. In comparison with other German federal states, Brandenburg, a rural and structurally weak region, demonstrates a higher type 2 diabetes mellitus prevalence with rates of up to 14.5% [15, 16]. Since the in-patient treatment of myocardial infarction in Brandenburg does not differ from that in urban regions [18], the increased mortality could be due to a high burden of risk factors and deficits in the early detection of individuals at risk. It is necessary to evaluate the specific causes and develop innovative strategies to overcome these challenging structural circumstances [21, 23]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
