The growing weight of noncommunicable diseases, primarily cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), is a great threat to the health of population worldwide, worsening the quality of life and reducing life expectancy. Realization of this threat led to initiation of epidemiological study by the Russian Ministry of Health to investigate the prevalence of CVDs and their risk factors, since it is CVDs that specify the high allcause mortality in Russia. In the modern history of epidemiology of non-infectious disease, the Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases and their Risk Factors in Regions of Russian Federation (ESSE-RF) study occupies a special place. This is the largest epidemiological study, which is considered as a continuation of preventive activity in order to obtain unbiased information on epidemiological characteristics of population in Russian regions. To conduct the study, the Research Organizing Committee of ESSE-RF study was created and a protocol was developed. All interested scientists and experts from following three centers took part in the work: National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Center, National Medical Research Center of Cardiology. The Russian regions were justified and selected for participation. In 2012-2014 ESSE-RF study, 13 following Russian regions took part: Volgograd, Vologda, Voronezh, Ivanovo, Kemerovo, Tyumen Oblasts; Krasnoyarsk and Primorsky Krai; the Republic of North Ossetia (Alania); cities of Orenburg, Samara, St. Petersburg and Tomsk. All participated regions used a single study protocol, while biochemical parameters were determined in Federal centers using the same equipment and reagent kits. The paper presents some of the most interesting results that indicate a change in Russian epidemiological situation over the past few years. After the end of cross-sectional study, a field of priority research areas was formed in each center.Conclusion. Epidemiological studies are the most important scientific tool for assessing the prevalence of diseases, their risk factors, as well as predicting adverse events. Based on the results obtained, healthcare system and medical community determine priorities and develop related strategies (population-based and high-risk strategies). For their implementation, a regulatory and legal framework is being created.

Prior research has revealed large differences in health and mortality across countries, socioeconomic groups, and individuals. Russia experiences one of the world's highest levels of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, great mortality differences within the population, and a heavy burden of ill health. Psychological stress has been suggested as a likely explanation of health loss and premature death in Russia and Eastern Europe. However, physiological mechanisms connecting stress with health in Russia remain unclear since existing epidemiological data are scarce and limited to conventional risk factors.

The success and quality of large-scale epidemiological studies depends entirely on biomaterial quality. Therefore, when arranging the third Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases and their Risk Factors in Regions of Russian Federation (ESSE-RF-3) study, increased attention was paid to specifics of collection, processing and further transportation of biological samples and related clinical and anthropometric data of participants from regional collection centers to Biobank.Aim. To develop a methodology for collection of high-quality biomaterials within the large-scale epidemiological study, involving the sampling, processing, freezing of blood and its derivatives (serum, plasma) in the regions, followed by transportation and storage of obtained biomaterial in the Biobank of National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine (Moscow).Material and methods. To conduct the ESSE-RF-3 study, a design was developed, according to which the collection of venous blood samples in a total volume of 29,5 ml from each participant is planned in all participating regions in order to obtain and store samples of whole blood, serum and two types of plasma.Results. On the basis of international biobanking standards, ethical norms, experience from ESSE-RF and ESSE-RF-2, and literature data, a protocol for biobanking of blood and its derivatives was developed. The type and number of serum and plasma aliquots obtained, the required standard technical means and consumables, as well as logistic biomaterial requirements were determined. Training programs for regional participants were developed. By the beginning of August 2021, 180 thousand samples of whole blood, serum and plasma from more than 23 thousand participants from 28 Russian regions were collected, processed and stored.Conclusion. The presented work made it possible to assess and confirm the compliance of developed biobanking protocol with quality requirements. However, due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, by August 2021, the Biobank did not reach the maximum effectiveness predicted for the ESSE-RF-3 project.

Aim. To analyze the structure of clinical data, as well as the principles of collecting and storing related data of the biobank of the National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine (hereinafter Biobank).Material and methods. The analysis was carried out using the documentation available in the Biobank, as well as the databases used in its work. The paper presents clinical data on biosamples available in the Biobank as of August 18, 2021.Results. At the time of analysis, the Biobank had 373547 samples collected from 54192 patients within 37 research projects. The article presents the analysis of data representation and quantitative assessment of the presence/absence of common diagnoses in clinical projects. Approaches to documenting clinical information associated with biological samples stored in the Biobank were assessed. The methods and tools used for standardization and automation of processes used in the Biobank were substantiated.Conclusion. The Biobank of the National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine is the largest research biobank in Russia, which meets all modern international requirements and is one of the key structures that improve the research quality and intensify their conduct both within the one center and in cooperation with other biobanks and scientific institutions. The collection and systematic storage of clinical abstracts of biological samples is an integral and most important part of the Biobank’s work.