BMC Geriatrics, 2014, 01, 1-7

The Korean urban and rural elderly cohort study: study design and protocol

EunYoung Lee, Hyeon Chang Kim, Yumie Rhee, Yoosik Youm, Kyoung Min Kim, Ju Mi Lee, Dong Phil Choi, Young Mi Yun, Chang Oh Kim

Abstract

Background
Korea is one of the fastest aging countries and is expected to become a super-aged society within 12 years. The Korean Urban Rural Elderly (KURE) study was developed to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics and establish the prevention and management of major disorders of the elderly in Korea.
Methods/Design
The KURE study is a community-based prospective cohort study on health, aging, and common geriatric disorders of Korean elderly persons aged at least 65 years. To construct a cohort reflecting both urban and rural areas, we selected 2 representative communities in the country. To establish multidisciplinary approaches to geriatric health, this study was performed by researchers in the divisions of geriatrics, preventive medicine, endocrinology, and sociology. The baseline examinations began in 2012; the study will follow more than 4,000 elderly Koreans over 10 years. The first and second follow-up health examinations will be performed every 4 years. Every 2 years after each health examination, inter-assessment interview will be conducted to improve participant retention.
Discussion
The KURE study will provide longitudinal epidemiologic data on health, aging, and common geriatric disorders of the elderly in Korea. This is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary study of the elderly with respect to biological, physical, socio-economic, and environmental factors. The results of this study will contribute to improve public health and welfare policies for the aging society in Korea.

• ISBN or ISSN: 1471-2318

• 본 연구는 질병관리본부 연구개발과제(과제번호 2013-E63007-00) 연구비를 지원받아 수행되었습니다.
• This research was supported by a fund(code 2013-E63007-00) by Research of Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.