The UPLIFT Study Version 1

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Understanding Priorities for Improving Quality of Life in People Living with HIV and Cognitive Impairment

• IRAS ID

  314148

• Contact name

  Stephanie Daley

• Contact email

  S.Daley@bsms.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Dr Antony Walsh

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 6 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  Medical treatment has transformed HIV from a life sentence to a manageable, chronic condition. The UK is now home to a growing, ageing population of people living with HIV (PLWH). However, cognitive impairment (CI) in people living with HIV is an increasingly important health concern, with incidence of CI expected to rise as the HIV population continues to age. It is estimated that mild to moderate CI is currently seen in 14-28% of PLWH. To date, research has primarily focused on the causes of CI, improving screening techniques for CI, and clarifying the clinical relevance of the diagnostic criteria’s used. More recently, the advent of specialist HIV memory clinics in key centres around the UK, such as the Orange Clinic in Brighton has improved helpseeking for CI and the clinical management of cognitive difficulties. Crucially however, research and interventions aimed at assisting people living with HIV to live well with CI do not currently exist and represent an important un-met need in this population. Recent research undertaken as part of a PhD thesis by one of the co-applicants (KA) has identified with the HIV community seven key themes impacting on quality of life (QoL) in PLWH and CI; physical functioning, cognition, social connectedness, physical and mental health and wellbeing, HIV-stigma, self-concept, and acceptance and perceived control over health outcomes.

  The aim of this project is to build on the PhD findings and to take these novel insights and work with PLWH and CI to:

  a) establish a lived experience research advisory group
  b) to conduct three focus groups to identify the research priorities in these group of PLWH

  These outputs would then be used to develop future larger grant proposals to tests interventions that improve QoL in this underserved group of people living with CI.
  

• REC name

  HSC REC A

• REC reference

  22/NI/0085

• Date of REC Opinion

  16 May 2022

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion