Investigating aging trajectories and determinants in Northern Italy through the Novara cohort study

The Novara Cohort Study (NCS) is the first multidisciplinary cohort study on aging in Northern Italy. It is designed to explore aging trajectories and health outcomes in the general population. This study involves the collection of biological samples and extensive data, including socioeconomics, medical history, lifestyle habits, quality of life, and physical function. This paper outlines the rationale, objectives, and preliminary findings of the NCS pilot phase. It discusses baseline characteristics, initial biological characterization, and identifies key areas for improvement to ensure the successful implementation of the full-scale study. The NCS pilot phase enrolled participants aged 35 and older residing in Novara, Italy. The study involved the collection of biological samples, medical examinations, questionnaires, and functional tests. Data collected included demographic information, physical activity, sleep quality, diet, quality of life, mental health, medical history, and medication use. Key blood parameters were analyzed alongside clinical data.The pilot phase enrolled 123 participants, 68 (55.3%) females and 55 (44.7%) males with a median age of 65 years old. The NCS pilot participants had higher education levels, lower smoking rates, and higher physical activity levels than the general population. Blood biomarker profiling revealed significant variability across participants, offering exploratory and preliminary findings to guide the design and implementation of the larger cohort phase aimed at studying aging trajectories. The NCS pilot provided valuable initial insights into participant characteristics and identified areas for study protocol enhancement. These findings will guide refinements to optimize future study processes and outcomes, ultimately aimed at investigating the biological, social, and environmental determinants of aging in the Northern Italy area population.