Framework and baseline examination of the German National Cohort (NAKO)
Authors: Peters Annette ,   German National Cohort (NAKO) Consortium, Peters Annette , Greiser Karin Halina , Göttlicher Susanne , Ahrens Wolfgang , Albrecht Maren , Bamberg Fabian , Bärnighausen Till , Becher Heiko , Berger Klaus , Beule Achim , Boeing Heiner , Bohn Barbara , Bohnert Kerstin , Braun Bettina , Brenner Hermann , Bülow Robin , Castell Stefanie , Damms-Machado Antje , Dörr Marcus , Ebert Nina , Ecker Margit , Emmel Carina , Fischer Beate , Franzke Claus-Werner , Gastell Sylvia , Giani Guido , Günther Matthias , Günther Kathrin , Günther Klaus-Peter , Haerting Johannes , Haug Ulrike , Heid Iris M. , Heier Margit , Heinemeyer Diana , Hendel Thomas , Herbolsheimer Florian , Hirsch Jochen , Hoffmann Wolfgang , Holleczek Bernd , Hölling Heike , Hörlein Andreas , Jöckel Karl-Heinz , Kaaks Rudolf , Karch André , Karrasch Stefan , Kartschmit Nadja , Kauczor Hans-Ulrich , Keil Thomas , Kemmling Yvonne , Klee Bianca , Klüppelholz Birgit , Kluttig Alexander , Kofink Lisa , Köttgen Anna , Kraft Daniel , Krause Gérard , Kretz Lisa , Krist Lilian , Kühnisch Jan , Kuß Oliver , Legath Nicole , Lehnich Anna-Therese , Leitzmann Michael , Lieb Wolfgang , Linseisen Jakob , Loeffler Markus , Macdonald Anke , Maier-Hein Klaus H. , Mangold Nina , Meinke-Franze Claudia , Meisinger Christa , Melzer Juliane , Mergarten Björn , Michels Karin B. , Mikolajczyk Rafael , Moebus Susanne , Mueller Ulrich , Nauck Matthias , Niendorf Thoralf , Nikolaou Konstantin , Obi Nadia , Ostrzinski Stefan , Panreck Leo , Pigeot Iris , Pischon Tobias , Pschibul-Thamm Irene , Rathmann Wolfgang , Reineke Achim , Roloff Stefanie , Rujescu Dan , Rupf Stefan , Sander Oliver , Schikowski Tamara , Schipf Sabine , Schirmacher Peter , Schlett Christopher L. , Schmidt Börge , Schmidt Georg , Schmidt Martin , Schöne Gina , Schulz Holger , Schulze Matthias B. , Schweig Alexandra , Sedlmeier Anja M. , Selder Sonja , Six-Merker Julia , Sowade Ramona , Stang Andreas , Stegle Oliver , Steindorf Karen , Stübs Gunthard , Swart Enno , Teismann Henning , Thiele Inke , Thierry Sigrid , Ueffing Marius , Völzke Henry , Waniek Sabina , Weber Andrea , Werner Nicole , Wichmann H.-Erich , Willich Stefan N. , Wirkner Kerstin , Wolf Kathrin , Wolff Robert , Zeeb Hajo , Zinkhan Melanie , Zschocke Johannes 
Published: October 2022

The German National Cohort (NAKO) is a multidisciplinary, population-based prospective cohort study that aims to investigate the causes of widespread diseases, identify risk factors and improve early detection and prevention of disease. Specifically, NAKO is designed to identify novel and better characterize established risk and protection factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, respiratory and infectious diseases in a random sample of the general population. Between 2014 and 2019, a total of 205,415 men and women aged 19–74 years were recruited and examined in 18 study centres in Germany. The baseline assessment included a face-to-face interview, self-administered questionnaires and a wide range of biomedical examinations. Biomaterials were collected from all participants including serum, EDTA plasma, buffy coats, RNA and erythrocytes, urine, saliva, nasal swabs and stool. In 56,971 participants, an intensified examination programme was implemented. Whole-body 3T magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 30,861 participants on dedicated scanners. NAKO collects follow-up information on incident diseases through a combination of active follow-up using self-report via written questionnaires at 2–3 year intervals and passive follow-up via record linkages. All study participants are invited for re-examinations at the study centres in 4–5 year intervals. Thereby, longitudinal information on changes in risk factor profiles and in vascular, cardiac, metabolic, neurocognitive, pulmonary and sensory function is collected. NAKO is a major resource for population-based epidemiology to identify new and tailored strategies for early detection, prediction, prevention and treatment of major diseases for the next 30 years.