Patients with metastatic colon cancer are often treated with the chemotherapeutic irinotecan. However, not everyone responds to this therapy, and in 40% of cases, it causes side effects, such as severe diarrhea (7 to 14 times a day). As a result, the quality of life, as well as survival, deteriorates, placing a heavy burden on both family members and hospital staff. Currently, there are no available tests to predict the response or side effects. Within OPTIMA, three screening tests are being validated clinically to provide physicians with a toolbox for predicting the response to irinotecan and preventing side effects.

A way to stimulate sports and physical activity is by designing and redeveloping public spaces such that they increase physical activity. Existing literature has addressed the relationship between built environment and physical activity on the neighbourhood level but some vital issues have received limited attention: a. Individuals spend a significant part of their time outside their neighbourhoods and may use physical activity options there; b. Issues such as the design, layout and amenities within public spaces have received limited attention, whereas they may be crucial for individuals? physical activity c. The existing literature does not distinguish well between activities with different intensity. This project applies a novel combination of techniques (GPS tracking combined with accelerometers) to investigate: a. How physical activity is distributed across the home location, the neighbourhood and more remote locations; b. Individuals? behaviour within public spaces to determine what elements are most attractive; These issues are investigated in multiple locations for different target groups. In Zuid-Limburg we investigate the dynamics in the use of public spaces for children in transition from elementary school to secondary school. In Rotterdam and Utrecht we investigate the use of neighbourhood and urban parks for physical activity among 45-65 year olds. GPS/accelerometer measurements are followed by qualitative research to elicit fine grained qualitative aspects of public spaces that stimulate of prohibit their use for physical activity. Based on the outcomes we will work with planners and public health professionals, to develop policy recommendations for increasing physical activity via public spaces.

Gebaseerd op het in 2015 afgeronde CHECK-cohort kent het huidige project een sterk multidisciplinaire insteek rondom vier hoofdthema’s Deze zijn: 1) etiologie van knie artrose, 2) prognose van knie artrose, 3) biomarkers van knie artrose en 4) relevante aspecten van communicatie tussen hulpverlener en patiënt binnen preventie, diagnostiek en behandeling van knie artrose op basis van een mixed methods benadering.