Universal Capillary Screening for Chronic Autoimmune, Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases: Feasibility and Acceptability Pilot Study.

This study represents a model for a public health program based on a general population screening for the most prevalent chronic metabolic, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases across adulthood, childhood and adolescence. The main purpose is to assess feasibility and acceptability of using a capillary screening for this purpose. Secondly, it will be possibile to identify people at increased risk of developing one of these health conditions as well as those who are at pre-symptomatic clinical stages. Risk assessment is needed to identify prevention strategies; early diagnosis allows to start early treatment interventions aimed at reducing lifetime complications.This interventional study will enroll volunteers from Cantalupo, a locality belonging to the Municipality of Cerro Maggiore (Milan). Participants will be offered to undergo two capillary blood sampling to test blood glucose levels, glycated haemoglobin, total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, triglycerides and specific antibodies for type 1 diabetes and celiac disease. In case a participant screens positive for type I diabetes and/or celiac disease, they will be subsequently invited to undergo a new confirmatory blood draw on venous blood. Blood pressure will be also measured for each participant