Type 2 diabetes in adults
The NAKO study shows that early-onset type 2 diabetes in adults aged between 20 and 45 is primarily associated with low educational attainment, household income at risk of poverty, and being part of the first generation of migrants. The link between low educational attainment and diabetes was particularly pronounced among individuals with a BMI of […]
Brain structures and depression
Measurable changes in the brain associated with depression and anxiety are highly varied and difficult to characterise. A large-scale study using MRI data from the German National Cohort (NAKO) and the UK Biobank has identified measurable differences in brain structure among people with depression or anxiety – the more severe the symptoms, the greater these […]
Parkinson
The study used NAKO data to analyse the prevalence and consequences of Parkinson’s disease in Germany. Self-reported data, secondary data and a medication-based algorithm were compared. Those affected had a fourfold higher mortality rate, as well as poorer motor, emotional and olfactory functions, and were more likely to suffer from conditions such as diabetes, obesity, […]
Risk of dementia
Analysis of data from 150,000 NAKO participants shows that an established dementia risk index is associated with differences in cognitive function even among young adults aged 20 to 39. Until now, the index has primarily been used to assess risk in middle and older adulthood.
Medication in old age
Optimising drug therapy for older people remains a key challenge in an ageing society. A recent analysis systematically examined the incidence of over-prescription, under-prescription and inappropriate prescribing, as well as the factors that might be associated with these, in 54,296 participants. NAKO participants with Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and depression showed an increased risk of potentially […]
Temporomandibular disorders
Pain in the temporomandibular joints or chewing muscles is common among the general population, especially among women and young adults. The symptoms are associated with biopsychosocial factors such as sleep problems, childhood trauma, anxiety and depression, while abnormalities in the teeth or jaw position appear to play a minor role.
Smoking behaviour and depression
A group of researchers has confirmed for the first time within the German National Cohort (NAKO) a link between cigarette consumption and depression. The evaluations show that depression occurs more frequently over the lifetime of current and former smokers than among non-smokers. The study focused in particular on the dose-dependent effects of smoking behaviour.
Mental health during the pandemic
A recent analysis of the German National Cohort (NAKO) involving around 80,000 adults shows that while the majority of NAKO participants were able to maintain stable mental health throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and stress increased until 2022 – particularly among younger adults under the age of 40 and among women.
Participation in mammography screening
The study shows that participation in mammography screening in Germany is below European recommendations and is strongly linked to general preventive behaviour, socio-economic status and lifestyle factors. The results underscore the need for targeted information and intervention measures.
Healthy lifestyle and body fat distribution
A healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a balanced diet, moderate alcohol consumption and no smoking is associated with lower levels of visceral adipose tissue (VAT).