Systematic Examination of Health Inequalities: Documentation, Patterns, and Determinants

NCT07558187 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 98 / 25.07.2025
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 2,000
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 5

Brief Summary

The existence of social inequalities is a major global issue and a salient challenge for the European Union. During COVID-19 pandemic, health disparities became more evident. Indeed, the low-income residents in several European countries, including Greece, had limited access to the healthcare system for several reasons. In addition, vulnerable populations, with patients suffering from opioid use disorders and incarcerated individuals being among them, do not have the same chances regarding health services, compared to the general population. According to the World Health Organization, physical activity is a key non-pharmaceutical intervention for both prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases and address of social health inequalities. Thus, this study will focus on specific population groups of the Region of Thessaly, Greece, who have limited access to healthcare services. It aims, primarily, to the assessment of demographic characteristics (i.e., body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking, educational level etc), which are fundamental parameters for the assessment of health inequalities. Secondly, quality of life, physical activity levels and biomarkers in the level of Biochemistry (i.e., blood oxidative stress and inflammation) and Physiology (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition) will be collected a well. All data will be integrated into an interactive digital platform that will be accessible by any putative stakeholder in the area of health system or administration. Based on scientifically robust data and evidence-based findings, the research team of the project will draft recommendations and guidelines that will be communicated to all stakeholders. To that end, the problem of limited access to health system that the examined populations face, will be highlighted and targeted actions and policies are expected to be adopted by local (i.e., in the province of Thessaly) and national (i.e., Greek) authorities. In this respect, non-pharmaceutical interventions and guidelines will be proposed towards the trajectory of holistically approaching the issue of health inequalities.

Conditions

Addiction to Opioids; Incarceration; Non-communicable Diseases (NCD); Opioid-use Disorders

Keywords

Health inequalities; Physical activity/exercise; Demographics; Quality of life; Heroin craving; Oxidative stress; Antioxidants; Resting energy expenditure; Body composition; Alcohol; Body mass index; Smoking; Cardiorespiratory fitness; Opioid use disorders

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Demographic data

  Body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, place of residence, health insurance, educational status, family status and financial status will be collected among others through a questionnaire.

  Data will be collected at Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (11)

• Physical activity

  Data will be collected at Baseline

• Quality of life

  Data will be collected at Baseline

• Heroin craving

  Data will be collected at Baseline

• Concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH)

  Data will be collected at Baseline

• Concentration of protein carbonyls

  Data will be collected at Baseline

Study Arms (6)

Patients with non-communicable diseases - residents of rural areas

No intervention

Patients with non-communicable diseases - residents of urban areas

No intervention

Healthy volunteers - residents of rural areas

No intervention

Healthy volunteers - residents of urban areas

No intervention

Patients with opioid use disorders under medication for addiction treatment

No intervention

Individuals incarcerated in correctional facilities (prisons)

No intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Sources of study populations: Hospitals; Other health centers and structures in cities, towns or villages; National Organization for the Prevention and Treatment of Addictions (EOPAE); Correctional facilities (prisons)

You may qualify if:

• Adults (\>18 years of age)
• All healthy individuals who reside in rural and urban areas
• All patients with non-communicable diseases who reside in rural and urban areas
• Patients with opioid use disorders under medication for addiction treatment with methadone and buprenorphine
• Individuals incarcerated in correctional facilities

You may not qualify if:

• Minors (\<18 years of age)
• Individuals with communicable diseases

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Thessaly: lead
• General Hospital of Larissa: collaborator
• Correctional Facility (Prison) of Trikala: collaborator
• Region of Thessaly: collaborator
• General Hospital of Trikala: collaborator
• University of Thessaly, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics: collaborator
• National Organization for the Prevention and Treatment of Addictions (EOPAE): collaborator
• 5th Regional Health Authority of Thessaly & Sterea: collaborator

Study Sites (5)

General Hospital of Larissa

Larissa, Greece

NOT YET RECRUITING

Health structures in the Region of Thessaly

Larissa, Greece

RECRUITING

National Organization for the Prevention and Treatment of Addictions (EOPAE)

Larissa, Greece

NOT YET RECRUITING

General Hospital of Trikala

Trikala, Greece

NOT YET RECRUITING

National Organization for the Prevention and Treatment of Addictions (EOPAE), Trikala

Trikala, Greece

NOT YET RECRUITING

Related Publications (32)

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• Leventelis C, Veskoukis AS, Rojas Gil AP, Papadopoulos P, Garderi M, Angeli A, Kampitsi A, Tsironi M. Methadone and Buprenorphine as Medication for Addiction Treatment Diversely Affect Inflammation and Craving Depending on Their Doses. Pharmacy (Basel), 13(2), 40, 2025b.

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Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITHOUT DNA

Blood samples, data from questionnaires, data from biochemical measurements, data from physiology measurements

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Noncommunicable Diseases; Opioid-Related Disorders; Motor Activity; Smoking

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Disease Attributes; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Narcotic-Related Disorders; Substance-Related Disorders; Chemically-Induced Disorders; Mental Disorders; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Aristidis S Veskoukis, Associate Professor

CONTACT

2431047114; veskoukis@uth.gr

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 6, 2026
• First Posted: April 30, 2026
• Study Start: March 10, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2028
• Last Updated: April 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

GR (5)