PEARL
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Perimenopause and Older Adults Treatment Outcomes and Lived Experience
IRAS ID
362137
Contact name
Fiona Cresswell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sussex
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
144 CRE, Sponsor reference
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 31 days
Research summary
In many developed countries, over half of people with HIV are now aged 50 years or older. Evidence on which treatment regimens are optimal in peri/post-menopausal and older adults is limited, despite heightened susceptibility to neuropsychiatric adverse effects and frequent sleep or mood disturbance. Populations included in clinical trials often fail to reflect the wider demographics of those who ultimately receive these regimens. One such regimen is the combination of bictegravir with emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF). Despite the lack of clinical trial data on B/F/TAF in older people, this regimen is often used in older adults at risk of renal disease or osteoporosis because of its favourable kidney and bone profile. Therefore, there is a need for real-world data on the experiences of B/F/TAF within critical subpopulations such as peri/post-menopausal adults and older people.
PEARL is a non-interventional, multi-centre, observational study with a nested qualitative component, set across 6-8 NHS HIV treatment centres. We will capture clinical and qualitative data from participants and healthcare workers, to understand experiences of ART regimen switches within critical subpopulations, peri/postmenopausal and older adults.
REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0056
Date of REC Opinion
3 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion