Several sub-studies are embedded within the FLEMENGHO study. In these studies, either new data is collected (primary use of data) or data previously collected within FLEMENGHO is analyzed (secondary use of data). KU Leuven acts as the sponsor of these studies. Participants provide a written informed consent prior to each study visit.
Procedures that test one's exercise capacity and heart's response to exercise might be useful to detect early-stage heart diseases. In this project, we study the usefulness of exercise testing for detection of subclinical heart diseases. In particular, this project seeks to unravel the potency of cardiopulmonary exercise testing and novel imaging and molecular biomarkers to improve the detection and risk stratification of early-stage heart disease. For this, we will determine the exercise capacity, the heart's structure and function, and the immune profile of 650 FLEMENGHO participants as described here .
Principal investigator: Prof. dr. Tatiana Kuznetsova
Financial support: Research Foundation Flanders (FWO Vlaanderen) and KU Leuven
This study ensures permanent follow-up of the health status of our FLEMENGHO participants. Information on medical history, medication intake klinische gegevens te bepalen en informatie over de medische voorgeschiedenis, medicatiegebruik en levensstijl te bekomen. Deze informatie kan dan, mits ethische goedkeuring, worden gebruikt binnen de andere lopende FLEMENGHO-studies. Deze gegevens helpen ons tevens een beeld te schetsen van de prevalentie en incidentie van ziekten in de Belgische bevolking.
Principal investigator: Prof. dr. Tatiana Kuznetsova
Financial support: Research Foundation Flanders (FWO Vlaanderen) and KU Leuven
This study is embedded within an R21 project in collaboration with Stanford University. The project focuses on ACE2, a protein involved in the infection by SARS-CoV-2 (the virus causing COVID-19). In particular, this study investigates to what extent the ACE2 concentration in the blood is influenced by genetic variation in the ACE2 gene or related genes, by lifestyle or by environmental factors such as air pollution. For this project, we will analyze retrospective data and determine 26 base pairs in 1415 DNA samples collected previously. FLEMENGHO participants involved in this analysis have provided approval for these secondary blood analyses. More information on secondary use of data can be found here .
Principal investigator: Prof. dr. Werner Budts
Financial support: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (USA)
This study is embedded within the PREVALUNG consortium. The PREVALUNG project focuses on the link between cardiovascular disease and lung cancer. The project aims to identify biomarkers (genes, proteins, metabolites, .. ) that indicate the development of lung cancer. Thz most important biomarkers will be merged into a classification system for lung cancer risk assessment. The FLEMENGHO study in particular will serve as a validation cohort for biomarkers identified within PREVALUNG. For this, we will analyse samples from 46 participants that developed lung cancer throughout the FLEMENGHO study as well as from 92 controls.Participants involved in the substudy have consented to the secondary analyses.
Principal investigator: Prof. dr. Tatiana Kuznetsova
Financial support: The European Commision (HORIZON Europe)
Sodium sensitivity is a crucial factor in hypertensive patients. It determines a specific phenotype and requires stronger drugs to reach normal blood pressure levels. Recent studies in mice discovered pathways that may influence the development of salt-sensitive hypertension. In this study, we investigate if these pathways also play a role in the development of salt-sensitive hypertension and hypertension-mediated organ damage in humans. .Participants involved in the substudy have consented to the secondary analyses.
Principal investigator: Prof. dr. Tatiana Kuznetsova
Nederlands (België)