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Researchers

24,780 baseline participants

11,035 follow-up participants

21,000 baseline biological samples

Publications

Since 2011, more than 200 scientific articles based on the HELIUS data have been published. Below you can find, filter and read them.

Filters

Theme

Year

Migration and allergic diseases: Findings from a population-based study in adults in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Year: 2022
Authors: Amoah AS, Prins M, Bel EHD, Fokkens WJ, Zwinderman AH, Yazdanbakhsh M, Maitland-van der Zee AH, van Ree R

Ethnic differences in urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and heparanase-1 levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes: the HELIUS study

Year: 2022
Authors: van der Velden AIM, van den Berg BM, van den Born BJ, Galenkamp H, Ijpelaar DHT, Rabelink TJ

Cardiovascular risk profile after a complicated pregnancy across ethnic groups: The HELIUS study

Year: 2022
Authors: Burger RJ, Gordijn SJ, Bolijn R, Reilingh A, Moll Van Charante EP, Van Den Born BH, De Groot CJM, Ravelli ACJ, Galenkamp H, Van Valkengoed IGM, Ganzevoort W

Urine and vaginal microbiota compositions of postmenopausal and premenopausal women differ regardless of recurrent urinary tract infection and renal transplant status

Year: 2022
Authors: Hugenholtz F, van der Veer C, Terpstra ML, Borgdorff H, van Houdt R, Bruisten S, Geerlings SE, van de Wijgert JHHM

Serum carotenoid concentrations and their association with ethnic differences in type 2 diabetes within the Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) study

Year: 2021
Authors: Flores Sanchez P, Muilwijk M, Nicolaou M, Snijder MB, Peters R, van Valkengoed IGM

Sleep characteristics across the lifespan in 1.1 million people from the Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Year: 2021
Authors: Kocevska D, Lysen TS, Dotinga A, Koopman-Verhoeff ME, Luijk MPCM, Antypa N, Biermasz NR, Blokstra A, Brug J, Burk WJ, Comijs HC, Corpeleijn E, Dashti HS, de Bruin EJ, de Graaf R, Derks IPM, Dewald-Kaufmann JF, Elders PJM, Gemke RJBJ, Grievink L, Hale L, Hartman CA, Heijnen CJ, Huisman M, Huss A, Ikram MA, Jones SE, Velderman MK, Koning M, Meijer AM, Meijer K, Noordam R, Oldehinkel AJ, Groeniger JO, Penninx BWJH, Picavet HSJ, Pieters S, Reijneveld SA, Reitz E, Renders CM, Rodenburg G, Rutters F, Smith MC, Singh AS, Snijder MB, Stronks K, Ten Have M, Twisk JWR, Van de Mheen D, van der Ende J, van der Heijden KB, van der Velden PG, van Lenthe FJ, van Litsenburg RRL, van Oostrom SH, van Schalkwijk FJ, Sheehan CM, Verheij RA, Verhulst FC, Vermeulen MCM, Vermeulen RCH, Verschuren WMM, Vrijkotte TGM, Wijga AH, Willemen AM, Ter Wolbeek M, Wood AR, Xerxa Y, Bramer WM, Franco OH, Luik AI, Van Someren EJW, Tiemeier H

Gender-related characteristics and disparities in estimated cardiovascular disease risk in a multi-ethnic general population: The HELIUS study

Year: 2021
Authors: Bolijn R, Perini W, Tan HL, Galenkamp H, Kunst AE, van Valkengoed IGM

Socioeconomic Differences in Sympathovagal Balance: The Healthy Life in an Urban Setting Study

Year: 2021
Authors: van Nieuwenhuizen BP, Collard D, Tan HL, Blom MT, van den Born BH, Kunst AE, van Valkengoed IGM

Performance of Risk Assessment Models for Prevalent or Undiagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Multi-Ethnic Population-The Helius Study

Year: 2021
Authors: Obura MO, van Valkengoed IG, Rutters F, ’t Hart LM, Rauh SP, Moll van Charante EP, Snijder MB, Beulens JWJ

Determinants of suboptimal blood pressure control in a multi-ethnic population: The Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) study

Year: 2021
Authors: van der Linden EL, Collard D, Beune EJAJ, Nieuwkerk PT, Galenkamp H, Haafkens JA, Moll van Charante EP, van den Born BH, Agyemang C

About HELIUS

The HELIUS study is a prospective cohort study on health and health care among an urban multi-ethnic population.

The aim of the HELIUS study is to gain insight in the biological, psychological and social causes of the unequal burden of disease across ethnic groups, and ultimately enable the improvement of health care and prevention strategies. The study is being carried out in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and is an initiative of Amsterdam UMC and the Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD Amsterdam).

The HELIUS study focuses on three primary research areas:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (including diabetes)
  • Mental disorders
  • Infectious diseases

Baseline data collection took place in 2011-2015. Nearly 25.000 participants of Turkish, Moroccan, South-Asian Surinamese, African Surinamese, Ghanaian and Dutch origin were included in the study. Data were collected through a questionnaire/interview and a physical examination. Biological samples were obtained during study visits. In 2019 – 2022, all HELIUS participants were invited for follow-up measurements. Again, a physical examination was performed, including the collection of biological samples.

For more information on the study design and data collection, we refer to the following papers:

Collaboration

HELIUS has an open policy in regard to collaboration with research groups.

Researchers from various departments of Amsterdam UMC and the GGD Amsterdam collaborate in the HELIUS study. In addition, we are open to proposals of collaboration with external research groups.

  • Before access to data is provided, all researchers should carefully read and must adhere to the HELIUS Collaboration Policy.
  • In brief, a research proposal or publication proposal must be developed following the proposal formats, which can be found in the Collaboration Policy.
  • All proposals should then be submitted to the HELIUS Scientific Coordinator (heliuscoordinator@amsterdamumc.nl). The proposals are discussed in the HELIUS Executive Board regarding their study aims, overlap with ongoing studies, logistic consequences and financial contributions.
  • After approval of the proposal by the HELIUS Executive Board, the collaborative research project is embedded in one of the three research areas supervised by the specific HELIUS Theme Leader.

Linkages

Several linkages have been established with national or regional registries in the Netherlands, to enrich the data:

Consortia

We collaborate with multiple national and international consortia.

FAQ researchers

Who can collaborate?

Researchers affiliated with a Dutch or international research institute may request data or samples to conduct a study that fits within the general aims of HELIUS.

Proposals regarding scientific collaboration should be submitted to the Scientific Coordinator, preferably after consulting the relevant Theme Leader. The proposals will then be considered by the HELIUS Executive Board, on the basis of: 1. compatibility with the general objectives of the HELIUS study, 2. the quality of the research proposal, 3. possible overlap with other cohort studies, 4. the use of biological material, 5. logistical feasibility and 6. the (financial) contribution to be made.

Data collection consists of questionnaires, physical examination and collection of biomaterial. For an overview, see:

Yes, for access to data and biomaterial we follow the procedures as set out in the HELIUS Collaboration Policy, which you can download here.

Onze partners

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