OMEGA-NET Inventory of Occupational Cohorts

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Existing cohort studies in Europe capturing some type of occupational information enrol tens of millions of persons. There are few large-scale analyses systematically combining cohorts from this extraordinary resource. To some extent this is due to the absence of systematic organization of data available. In the OMEGA-NET project we created an inventory of cohorts with occupational information in Europe and implemented an online interactive tool with detailed information on these cohorts. The inventory aims to collect information that facilitates collaboration across cohorts to explore occupation, work related exposures and health relationships. METHODS: The inventory includes cohorts, case-control studies nested within cohorts and intervention studies that: (i) are active or can substantiate that their data are potentially accessible; (ii) collect data on occupation and/or industry or at least one occupational exposure; and (iii) have at least one follow-up either already conducted or planned. Information is collected using a web-based OMEGA-NET Inventory Questionnaire. The published version of the inventory is stored in a searchable web database. RESULTS:To-date the inventory includes information on 120 cohorts in more than 20 countries. Information is collected on: (i) Identification and basic description; (ii) Follow-up; (iii) Occupational Exposures (methods and specific exposures); (iv) Outcomes evaluated; (v) Biological samples and analysis; (vi) Other information e.g. Sociodemographic. CONCLUSIONS:The OMEGA-NET inventory will continue to identify and invite cohorts both in Europe and worldwide ensuring the quality of submitted information. The inventory does not incorporate primary cohort data, rather only cohort meta-data, and seeks to capture the majority of available cohorts with information on occupational exposures, many of them being non-occupational in their primary aim. The development of an inventory of occupational cohorts is a first and important prerequisite for an exploitation of the extensive information that has been collected worldwide on occupation and health. KEYWORDS: Occupational epidemiology, Occupational exposures, International collaboration