SSAT065 Dean Street HIV Cohort Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
SSAT065 Dean Street HIV Cohort Study
IRAS ID
165402
Contact name
Nneka Nwokolo
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
High rates of HIV transmission among men who have sex with men exist in the UK, in particular, in Soho, London. This led to high numbers of new HIV diagnoses in the HIV clinic based at 56 Dean Street. Interestingly, due to active testing services offered by the clinic, the number of very recent infections is also very high, probably the highest in the UK. For this reason, it is believed that collecting data in this HIV-infected patient population would help establish infection trends, understand factors associated with transmission and develop strategies to reduce transmission via testing/treatment as prevention (TasP), behavioral modification, and other prevention interventions.
Many newly diagnosed individuals at 56 Dean Street express a wish to start treatment early (outside the current treatment guideline recommendations) in an effort to reduce the risk of transmission to HIV negative partners, but also to gain early control of viral replication in the hope of preserving their immune system. Several individuals express a preference for particular medication regimens including single tablet regimens (STR) for treatment of HIV infection. Collection of comparative data on patient treatment preferences may help in selecting regimens that are tailored to suit individual preferences.
Rates of diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including syphilis and hepatitis C, are extremely high at 56 Dean Street. Information on factors associated with their acquisition would provide information on their contribution to HIV acquisition.
The overall aim is to provide detailed clinical, molecular, and epidemiological descriptions of HIV-infected patients attending 56 Dean Street (HIV/GU Medicine Directorate, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) and optimize the clinical care of this population of HIV-infected individuals, many of whom are also at high risk of other STIs, including hepatitis C.REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1966
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jan 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion