CTN 242: Canadian observational cohort (CANOC) collaboration

About The Study

The Canadian Observational Cohort Collaboration (CANOC) is a partnership of Canadian HIV researchers working together to study the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS treatment. This is the first network in the country to integrate all registered HIV/AIDS data across eight databases in three provinces: British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. The study population will consist of nearly 50% of positive Canadians on treatment since 2000.

This collaboration has three primary objectives:

1. To develop a nationally and internationally recognized and policy- relevant program of research in HIV therapeutics and population and public health and to build upon the expertise of Canadian researchers

2. To establish training and research opportunities for graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and clinicians across the country interested in HIV/AIDS cohort research

3. To improve research dissemination to physicians and persons living with HIV and to improve the knowledge translation of research on HIV/AIDS therapeutics into provincial, national and international HIV/AIDS treatment guidelines

Background

Unlike other countries, Canada does not have a comprehensive way to monitor and support PHAs and link governments and their respective health agencies. CANOC’s formation will enable researchers to better understand current gaps in knowledge, treatment outcomes and regional trends. One of the goals is to better inform provincial and territorial governments and enhance best practice guidelines.

Study Approach

CANOC is comprised of thirty-two researchers and clinicians from several institutes across BC, Ontario and Quebec, including the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, the Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Simon Fraser University, University of Toronto, McGill University and Université de Montréal. The team encompasses a broad spectrum of expertise with individuals skilled in biomedical statistics, epidemiology, health services, evaluation, infectious diseases, population health, primary care, psychology, respiratory medicine, and virology.

The study has identified nine treatment cohorts with a total current enrolment of 18,650 drawn from databases for this combined effort:

1. HIV/AIDS Drug Treatment Program, BC
2. Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Ont.
3. Montreal Chest Hospital Immunodeficiency, Que.
4. Electronic Antiretroviral therapy-EARTH, Que.
5. Clinique Medicale L’Actuel, Que.
6. National HIV/HCV cohort, across Canada
7. University of Ottawa
8. Maple Leaf Medical Clinic
9. Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Infectious Diseases Clinic (RQHR IDC)

Vision

The vision of CANOC is to focus initially on a limited number of high impact research questions that that take advantage of the uniqueness of this cohort collaboration. CANOC is distinctive as a cohort in that it has: up-to-date data on modern regimens in treatment naive persons starting ART; a wealth of sociodemographic data; and potential for linkage to gather high quality data on vital statistics and major diagnoses

Research goals:

1. To perform studies that compare regional differences in health outcomes and access to care that can inform Canadian and global policies for HIV treatment

2. To perform high impact clinically relevant research that can inform HIV treatment decisions.

A Community Advisory Committee made up of five people from across the country has been established to advise on and help build community partnerships; to contribute to research questions; and to assist with knowledge translation.