Second phase of Maastricht UMC + research into causes and consequences of type 2 diabetes
The Maastricht Study, a large cohort study of the Maastricht UMC + into causes and consequences of type 2 diabetes, has been awarded a subsidy of 1.5 million from the province of Limburg as part of the Kennis-As program. The subsidy is intended for the second phase of The Maastricht Study, in which all participants in the study are re-examined.
In October 2020 the first phase of The Maastricht Study, which mainly consisted of generating data and knowledge, was completed. The results provide a good insight into the health of the Limburg population. The data provided by the measurements of 9,000 participants have revealed relationships between type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, but also depression, dementia and certain eye diseases. The research has resulted in more than ninety scientific publications and 36 full-fledged PhD programs.
Second phase
In the second phase of The Maastricht Study (DMS2), participants are again invited to undergo all measurements that have already been performed. This provides the opportunity to draw conclusions about cause and effect, as well as the speed at which changes in health take place. The ultimate goal is to translate innovative knowledge into practical applications that improve the physical and mental well-being of Limburgers. Important goals are the prevention of chronic diseases and improvement of the lifestyle, the social environment, the quality of life and therefore general health. In order to improve the resilience and self-reliance of the Limburg population.
Knowledge Ace
The second phase of The Maastricht Study fits perfectly within the provincial Kennis-As program, in which knowledge institutions (in this case Maastricht UMC + and Maastricht University) and the province of Limburg are jointly committed to economic and social structural reinforcement. The economic impact of phase 2 will be particularly noticeable through increased direct and indirect employment and through more intensive cooperation with the business community and the development of spin-offs. An additional 140 FTEs in employment are expected in Limburg (192 FTEs in total in the Netherlands), on top of the 293 FTEs already generated in the first phase of The Maastricht Study in Limburg (422 FTEs throughout the Netherlands).
Vitality
An even more important economic effect is the intended increase in the vitality of the Limburg population as a result of lifestyle advice and the early detection and prevention of chronic diseases. After all, a vital working population is a precondition for a vital economy. To illustrate: sick leave costs the Dutch economy more than 10 billion euros annually.
In the second phase of The Maastricht Study, the valorisation of the acquired knowledge will focus more strongly on small and medium-sized businesses and start-ups, in collaboration with the campuses Brightlands Maastricht Health Campus, Brightlands Smart Services Campus in Heerlen and Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo. . DMS2 was launched in November 2020.
Source: Maastricht UMC +
–
