CTN 314: CHANGE HIV

About The Study

The CHANGE HIV Study is a five-year longitudinal cohort study that aims to improve our knowledge of the complexities of HIV and aging, with a focus on understanding the physical, mental, cognitive, and social aspects of health and how they interact to affect wellbeing.

This cohort is the first geriatric HIV cohort in Canada and will measure markers of healthy aging over time, including health status variables and frailty scores. The study researchers are also interested in HIV-specific variables and microbiome function (viral load, immune function, gut health, etc.).

About The Disease

The average age of a person living with HIV in Canada is now over 50 years and is projected to rise above 65 in the next 10 years; this is a result of the development of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), and because roughly one-quarter of new infections are in people over the age of 50. The aging of this population poses significant challenges to the health system that are unique to people living with HIV.

Study Approach

The study will take place over 5 years in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, and aims to enroll a cohort of 750 people (80% men, 20% women). Data collection will occur in three phases, 18 months apart, with three study visits per phase for a total of nine study visits.

During each phase, a series of questionnaires, physical measurements, and blood tests will be collected. Data collected via questionnaire will cover the five domains of health: social support, quality of life, cognitive function, physical function, and mental health. Questionnaire data from the three study phases will be used to calculate a Health Aging Score (HAS) for each participant. Study investigators will analyze how personal, environmental, and HIV-specific factors affect health over time.

Researchers will also analyze the relationship between HAS, microbiome function, and inflammation. Biological specimens from the cohort will be collected and stored for use in potential future studies. Storing of samples for future use will be integral to the advancement of this area of study as new tests are developed and new markers related to healthy aging are identified.