Study Oriscav-LUX2: Interview with participants 1000 & 1001

Passing the mark of 1000 participants for the cardiovascular health study ORISCAV-LUX2

Interview with participants #1000 and #1001

LIH’s Department of Population Health is currently conducting the second wave of the ORISCAV-LUX study (Observation des Risques et de la Santé Cardiovasculaire au Luxembourg). This study aims to assess the cardiovascular health of Luxembourg’s resident population and to identify the potentially modifiable risk factors to suggest efficient preventive health measures.

On 17th August 2017, the 1000th and 1001st participant, Elizabeth (34) and Gustavo (39), a Spanish couple living in Itzig, had their appointment for the study at LIH and received a special welcome by the ORISCAV-LUX team. Following the appointment, the two participants readily accepted to talk about their motivation to take part in the study and their impressions in an interview with LIH’s Communication Unit.

 

How did you hear about the study?

E: We have a friend working at LIH who participated in the study and suggested us to take part as well.

What motivated you to participate in the ORISCAV-LUX2 study?

E: We wanted to know about our current health status. We heard that the participants get a health check, with a feedback on the results of the tests.
G: I specifically wanted to know if everything is fine with my heart, as my father had heart problems. According to the tests that were conducted here, everything is okay. Of course our motivation is also to help research.

How was your experience with the ORISCAV-LUX2 team?

E: The research nurses were very nice. We felt comfortable and everything was well explained and easy to understand.
G: Like that, we were not surprised about what happened next during the tests and examinations.

How would you assess cardiovascular health of Luxembourgish people nowadays?

G: This is a difficult question. I have the impression that young people are generally in a good shape, but among the older ones you see more obese people.

What about your personal cardiovascular health?

E: I try to do a minimum of exercise every week by walking and running. Maybe I do a bit less than the average. And I pay attention to what I eat.
G: Well, we try but we are not always compliant (laughing).
E: We cook by ourselves, this is already a good thing. We like to eat at lot of red meat but we always combine it with vegetables.

Do you think the study results will have an impact on your lifestyle?

E: Only if the results are bad. Let’s see.
G: If everything is normal, we will probably not change your lifestyle.

Why do you think such a study is important?

E: We hope it will help people to be more conscious about their health status, their lifestyle and other related factors. People could for example become aware that living close to a highway or a busy road exposes you to air pollution and affects your health. 

 

About ORISCAV-LUX2

ORISCAV-LUX2 was initiated in January 2016 and will run until December 2017. The first wave of ORISCAV-LUX conducted between 2007 and 2008 with more than 1400 participants. The study is a collaborative work led by LIH’s Department of Population Health (Epidemiology and Public Health Research Unit and Clinical and Epidemiological Investigation Centre; project leader: Dr Ala’a Alkerwi) and involving IBBL - Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, University of Liège, Ligue Médico-Sociale, Laboratoires Ketterthill and BioLogistic SAS. The project represents a unique opportunity to collect reliable public health data and increase health awareness among the national population.

More information can be found on the ORISCAV-LUX website: http://www.oriscav.lih.lu

If you are interested in participating, please contact Mrs Cathy Fousse: cathy.fousse@lih.lu, +352 26970-747.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 1: Exercices on a step are part of the ORISCAV-LUX2 study

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 2: Participants can choose to wear an accelerometer around their wrist for one week for the monitoring physical activity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 3: LIH welcomed the 1000th and 1001st ORISCAV-LUX2 participants on 17th August 2017. From left to right: Daniela Valoura Esteves (research nurse), Marylène d’Incau (research nurse coordinator of ORISCAV-LUX2), Elizabeth (ORISCAV-LUX2 participant #1000), Gustavo (ORISCAV-LUX2 participant #1001), Aurélie Wiederkehr (research nurse) and Dr Ala’a Alkerwi (project leader of ORISCAV-LUX2 and Principal Investigator)