- 1. The Sofia Metabolic Syndrome (SMS) study: performed in 2003 to 2005; supported by the Bulgarian ministry of health, the Mayor of Sofia, Sopharma BG, the Club of German economics in Bulgaria and GlaxoSmithKline BG. A total of 1018 subjects were examined, who were consecutive volunteers from the general population of Sofia, aged above 14 years. All participants filled a questionnaire on medical history and lifestyle. Standardized measurements were performed of anthropometric parameters, vital signs and blood samples collected in a fasting state for examination of lipids and glucose.
- 2. Sofia Lifestyle Study: conducted in August 2007 – May 2010 among the citizens of Sofia. Project in collaboration with NSA Sofia, Bulgaria. 511 subjects completed an extensive questionnaire on lifestyle habits, medical history, self-perception of lifestyle, etc.
- 3. Genetic research in Diabetes, Hypertension, Myocardial infarction: Trial on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with history of myocardial infarction (n = 365), hypertension (n = 620), type 2 diabetes (n = 556) and healthy controls (n = 365). Project performed from 2005 to 2008 in collaboration with Jurilab Kuopio and NSA Sofia. All subjects filled a questionnaire on medical history and lifestyle and underwent standardised measurements of various cardiometabolic risk factors, such as plasma glucose, lipids, CRP etc.
- 4. Combating the Metabolic Syndrome through Physical Activity (COMPACT) Project performed from 2009 to 2011 in collaboration with National Sports Academy Sofia, and Dept. of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany. 85 sedentary, middle-aged, overweight or obese non-diabetic individuals were included in a 6 months exercise programme, and various cardiometabolic risk factors were analysed before and after the intervention.
