Recent translational studies of international HIV/AIDS cohorts

Shin Young Hyun, Kee Mee-Kyung, Kim Kisoon
Division of Viral Disease Research, Center for Infectious Disease Research, KNIH

The human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) cohort studies have benefited HIV clinicians and patient communities for over 30 years by presenting considerable information on HIV disease and its complications. Several research communities have gathered vast amounts of data from groups of HIV-infected persons who have been followed longitudinally. Since the first HIV cohort was started in 1984, the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) has been one of the largest and longest running studies on HIV natural history. In Europe, the Swiss HIV cohort study (SHCS) in 1988 and the Concerted Action on Seroconversion to AIDS and Death in Europe (CASCADE) study in 1997 were established; these multicenter-based prospective observational studies have been addressing various public health questions on HIV. All studies have been followed up with data collection on a semi-annual basis, including data of laboratory and clinical parameters. Here, we present an overview of research outcomes of the key HIV cohorts. Until now, these HIV cohort studies have provided basic scientific and clinical information on individuals living long-term with HIV and its many associated comorbidities. In 2006, the Korea National Institute of Health (KNIH) established the Korea HIV/AIDS Cohort Study. Along with the improvement in diagnostic and therapeutic methods for HIV infection prevention in Korea, we aimed to make another advances in HIV/AIDS control by conducting a national healthcare translational research about risk factors for progression to AIDS and death. We strive for producing reliable and statistically representative data and thus, contributing to AIDS prevention in Korea.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Cohort study, Public health, Natural history, Risk factor