Cohort Follow-up and Data Base Maintenance

核心A负责护士健康研究中的队列跟踪和数据库维护。这一核心的具体目标如下： 1)编制并邮寄两年一次的后续调查问卷给队列参与者 2)处理退回的调查问卷并核实答复 3)编制暴露数据数据库 4)跟踪丢失的参与者并维护更新的姓名和地址文件 5)保持较高的队列参与度 在ScD Diane Feskanich的指导下，Core A为研究参与者开发和设计了两年一次的跟踪调查问卷。问卷设计通过每两周一次的会议，纳入了项目项目所有调查人员以及其他合作调查人员的意见。对新问题进行了试点测试，并改进了后续方法，以满足队列成员的需求。对返回的调查问卷进行完整性检查、光学扫描和错误验证。在每个后续周期中，都会收回超过8万份问卷。核心A使用一系列方法来跟踪参与者并保持90%的高回复率。返回的问卷以数字图像形式存储在DVD上，可以很容易地从DVD中检索到它们。调查问卷中的暴露数据被编入数据库，变量被导出并记录下来，供调查人员使用。这包括维持调查问卷食物频率部分的营养素摄入量。问卷中报告的疾病将传递给核心B进行确认。

Core A is responsible for cohort follow-up and database maintenance in the Nurses' Health Study. The specific aims for this core are as follows: 1) Develop and mail biennial follow-up questionnaires to cohort participants 2) Process returned questionnaires and verify responses 3) Compile databases of exposure data 4) Trace lost participants and maintain an updated name and address file 5) Sustain high cohort participation Under the direction of Diane Feskanich, ScD, Core A develops and designs the questionnaire for biennial follow-up of study participants. Questionnaire design incorporates input from all investigators on the Program Project, as well as other collaborating investigators, through bi-weekly meetings. New questions are pilot tested and follow-up methods are refined to address the needs of the cohort members. Returned questionnaires are checked for completeness, optically scanned, and verified for errors. Over 80,000 questionnaires are returned in every follow-up cycle. Core A uses a range of methods to trace participants and to maintain a high 90% response rate. Returned questionnaires are digitally imaged and stored on DVD, from which they are easily retrievable. Exposure data from the questionnaires are complied into databases and variables are derived and documented for use by investigators. This includes maintenance of nutrient intakes derived from the food frequency portion of the questionnaire. Diseases reported on the questionnaires are passed to Core B for confirmation.