|
 |
|
Research & Evaluation
Our Commitment to ResearchOne of our key mandates is to foster and perform research. As a multi-disciplinary team, and as individual health care professionals, we are committed to promoting quality clinically relevant research.
Our research priorities include:
- prevention of perinatal HIV transmission
- antiretroviral therapies in pregnancy
- gender issues in HIV
- cervical cytologic abnormalities in HIV-positive women
- metabolic and other toxicities of antiretroviral therapy
- nutritional and micronutrient deficiencies
- quality of life in HIV-positive women and children.
We are also committed to the long-term follow-up of non-infected children of HIV-positive women exposed to antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy and the peripartum period.
The Oak Tree Clinic is a satellite site of the Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN). http://www.hivnet.ubc.ca/List1Frame.html. We can facilitate access to CTN trials and trials running at the BC Centre for Excellence and HIV/AIDS. If you are interested in any research study, please contact Evelyn Maan at (604) 875-2463.
Currently Enrolling StudiesNeurodevelopmental Effects of Perinatal Exposure to Antiretrovirals (ART) in HIV Uninfected Children
This BC Medical Services Foundation supported study is looking at the neurodevelopment of infants that are not HIV infected, but were exposed in utero to antiretrovirals. We want to see if there are any long-term effects on children's development when their mothers took HIV drugs in pregnancy. All HIV UNINFECTED children whose mothers took antiretrovirals during pregnancy can participate in the study.
Principle Investigator: Dr. Jack Forbes
Contraceptive Decisions of HIV-Positive Women
This BC Medical Services Foundation funded study is designed to investigate the contraceptive and reproductive choices being made by HIV-positive women throughout B.C. All HIV-positive women can participate in the study.
Principle Investigator: Dr. Gina Ogilvie
Perinatal Exposure to Antiretroviral Therapy in Infants Born to HIV Infected Mothers: Evaluation of Toxicity Using Mitochondrial DNA and Lactate Levels
This is a joint study between the Hospital For Sick Kids in Toronto, the Oak Tree Clinic, and the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. It is funded through a Priority Initiatives Project Grant from the Ontario HIV Treatment Network. It will look at mitochondrial DNA and lactate levels in antiretroviral exposed infants born to HIV infected women, and control infants.
Principle Investigators: Drs. Susan King, Jack Forbes and Ariane Alimenti
Children Living Positively
This qualitative study is investigating the needs/issues of adolescents living with HIV.
Principle Investigators: Sarah Fielding, Lori Sheckter
Recently Completed StudiesImpact of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) on Bone Density and Osteoporosis in HIV-Positive Canadian Women
This CANFAR funded study looked at osteoporosis (weakening of bones) and bone metabolism in women with HIV. The study took place in eight centres across Canada and is a collaboration with the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study and the Canadian Women's HIV Study. We are interested in how HIV drugs may affect bone health. We hope to find out which women are at highest risk for bone problems.
All HIV infected women, over 18 years of age, not pregnant, on ART for either less than seven days or for more than one year, were eligible to participate. Enrollment for this study closed October, 2003.
Principle Investigator: Dr. David Burdge
Canadian Women's HIV Study (CWHS)
The main purpose of this study was to follow the health and symptoms of women living with HIV infection. Most studies on HIV and AIDS have focused on men with less attention on women's concerns. Gynaecological disorders (like vaginal and cervical problems, or sexually transmitted diseases) may play an important role in women with HIV and this study helped improve our understanding of various aspects of HIV in women, and helped improve the care of women with HIV infection.
Principle Investigator: Dr. Catherine Hankins
This study was a multicentered Canadian study which resulted in multiple peer-reviewed publications. The funding has now expired, and the study has been closed.
South-Asian Women's Experiences of Living with HIV/AIDS
The purpose of the study was to better understand the unique experiences of South-Asian women around treatment and care living with a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS.
Principle Investigator: Wally Hiebert
The results of this study has been published as a thesis “Weathering the storm: Women's experiences of living with HIV/AIDS” .
Psychometric Testing of the MQOL-HIV in HIV Infected Women
The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and validity of a Quality of Life instrument in HIV infected women.
Principle Investigator: Valencia Remple
Remple VP, Hilton BA, Ratner PA, Burdge DR. Psychometric assessment of the Multidimensional Quality of Life Questionnaire for Persons with HIV/AIDS (MQOL-HIV) in a sample of HIV-infected women. Accepted for publication June 2003 by the Journal of Quality of Life Research. In press.
The Triglyceride-Lowering Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid in HIV Infected Individuals Receiving Protease Inhibitor (PI)-Containing Antiretroviral Regimens
The purpose of this BC Medical Services Foundation funded study was to see whether supplementing the diet with omega-3 FA can help lower triglycerides (TG) levels (above three mmol/L) in HIV infected people, and to compare the TG-lowering effect between people taking PI medications and those not taking PI medications to treat their HIV.
Principle Investigator: Dr. David Burdge
The results were presented in Abstract form at the XIV World AIDS Conference ( Barcelona ) D.Peabody, V. Remple, T. Green, A. Kalmar, J. Frohlich, J. DeWet, D. Burdge. The triglyceride-lowering effect of omega-3 fatty acids in HIV-infected patients on HAART. Abstact ThPeB7343 Vol 2, pg 419-420.
Metabolic Abnormalities Associated with Protease Inhibitor (PI) Uuse in HIV Infected Children
The purpose of this research study was to see if children with HIV who are treated with protease inhibitor drugs (nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, indinavir, Kaletra) (for at least three months) are at risk for certain complications. These complications may include diabetes, hardening of the arteries, heart disease, increased body fat, and increased fats in the blood.
Principle Investigator: Dr. Susan King
Assessment of Plasma, Vaginal and Cervical Viral Load Measurements Throughout the Menstrual Cycle in Women Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1)
This CANFAR funded study has been completed and published.
Principle Investigators: Drs. Deborah Money and David Burdge
Money DM, Arikan YY, Remple V, Sherlock C, Craib K, Birch P, Burdge DR. Genital tract and plasma human immunodeficincy virus viral load throughout the menstrual cycle in ovulatory women who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003: 188:122-127.
Assessment of Lactic Academia in HIV Uninfected Infants Exposed to Perinatal Antiretroviral Therapy
This study is now complete, and forms the basis for the current study investigating mitochondrial DNA and lactates in infants. The results have been published.
Principle Investigator: Dr. Ariane Alimenti
Alimenti A, Burdge DR , Ogilvie GS, Money DM, Forbes JC. Lactic acidemia in human immunodeficiency virus-uninfected infants exposed to perinatal antiretroviral therapy. Pediatric Infect Dis J 2003; 22(9):782-788
Future StudiesPharmacokinetics of Antiretrovirals in Pregnancy
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (drug levels), safety, and tolerance of antiretroviral therapies in pregnancy. We plan to undertake this study with investigators at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.
HIV infected pregnant women taking antiretrovirals are eligible to participate in the study.
PublicationsBurdge DR, Money DM, Forbes JC, Walmsley SL, Smaill FM, Boucher M, Samson LM, Steben M, on behalf of the Canadian HIV Trials Network Working Group on Vertical HIV Transmission. CMAJ 2003; 168: 1683-8 Full Guidelines online at www.cmaj.ca
Burdge DR, Money DM, Forbes JC, Walmsley SL, Smaill FM, Boucher M et al. Canadian consensus guidelines for the management of pregnancy, labour and delivery and for postpartum care in HIV-positive pregnant women and their offspring (summary of 2002 guidelines) CMAR 2003;168:1671-4.
Burdge DR, Money DM, Forbes JC, Walmsley SL, SMaill FM, Boucher et al. Canadian consensus guidelines for the care of HIV-positive pregnant women: putting recommendations into practice. CMAJ 2003; 168: 1683-8.
Money DM, Arikan YY, Remple V, Sherlock C, Craib K, Birch P, Burdge DR. Genital tract and plasma human immunodeficincy virus viral load throughout the menstrual cycle in ovulatory women who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003: 188:122-127.
Remple VP, Hilton BA, Ratner PA, Burdge DR. Psychometric assessment of the Multidimensional Quality of Life Questionnaire for Persons with HIV/AIDS (MQOL-HIV) in a sample of HIV-infected women. Accepted for publication June 2003 by the Journal of Quality of Life Research. In press.
Alimenti A, Burdge DR , Ogilvie GS, Money DM, Forbes JC. Lactic acidemia in human immunodeficiency virus-uninfected infants exposed to perinatal antiretroviral therapy. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2003; 22(9):782-788.
O'Connell JM, Braitstein P, Hogg RS, Yip A, Craib KJP, O'Shaughnessy MV, Montaner JSG, Burdge DR. Differences in virologic suppression among men and women enrolled in a population-based antiretroviral drug treatment program. Accepted for publication by the Journal of Antiviral Therapy. August 2003. In Press.
|
|
|
|
|
|