Korean Medicine for Aging Cohort (KoMAC) study-a prospective multicentre cohort in urban and rural Korea: cohort profile.

PURPOSE: The KoMAC (Korean Medicine for Aging Cohort) study investigates health characteristics related to ageing from both conventional and Korean medicine (KM) perspectives through a prospective, multicentre cohort study that also serves as a platform for future embedded intervention studies.

PARTICIPANTS

This study aimed to recruit 1000 adults aged 50-65 years from both urban (Iksan and surrounding areas, Jeonbuk Province) and rural (Jangheung and surrounding areas, Jeonnam Province) regions in Korea. Recruitment began in August 2023. The inclusion criteria were residence in the target region, literacy and written consent.

FINDINGS TO DATE: Initial data showed regional differences in health behaviours and conditions; rural participants showed higher rates of alcohol consumption, smoking and childbirth experience among women, while urban participants showed lower pulmonary function and less favourable hearing thresholds. Ageing was associated with a general decline in physical and psychosocial function, particularly in women. KM-based phenotypic analysis revealed an age-related increase in kidney deficiency patterns and blood stasis, particularly in women. Emotional assessments indicated a decline in joy with age. Laboratory findings showed age-related increases in blood urea nitrogen levels in women, consistent with changes observed in KM-based phenotypes.

FUTURE PLANS: The KoMAC study will continue with annual follow-ups, and blood samples will be collected again at the final follow-up visit to identify ageing-related risk factors. Embedded randomised controlled trials will evaluate the effects of KM-based interventions on health outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0008863).