Boston Alcohol Research Collaboration on HIV/AIDS (ARCH) Cohort: The 4F Study (NCT03414411) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Boston Alcohol Research Collaboration on HIV/AIDS (ARCH) Cohort: The 4F Study
United States251 participantsStarted 2018-02-20
Plain-language summary
The purpose of this study is to follow a cohort of HIV-infected adults who have alcohol and/or drug use to: 1) test the associations between alcohol (and illicit drugs and polypharmacy (multiple prescribed medications)) and falls (fractures secondarily), and whether frailty mediates these associations; and 2) test the associations between alcohol (and illicit drugs and polypharmacy) and utilization (emergency department use and hospitalization for falls and fractures), and whether frailty mediates them.
To achieve the stated aims the investigators will expand (to 400) and continue to follow an existing prospective cohort (The Boston ARCH Cohort) of adults with HIV infection and a high prevalence of exposure to alcohol, other drugs, and polypharmacy. The Boston ARCH Cohort is a longitudinal cohort (1-3.5 years of follow-up) of 250 HIV-infected men and women with current substance dependence or ever injection drug use that have a spectrum of alcohol use.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Ability to speak English (fluency)
* Willing to provide information for \>1 contact person likely to know their whereabouts for follow-up.
* Documented HIV antibody by ELISA confirmed by Western Blot or current HIV viral load greater than 10,000 (in any medical record); or HIV antibody by 4th generation ELISA confirmed by a "Multi-Spot" rapid test for discrimination of HIV-1 from HIV-2 infection and, if necessary in the case of discordant results, nucleic acid testing (NAT) for HIV-1; or any other confirmatory pathway approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or BMC Center for Infectious Diseases.
* Any past 12 month use of illicit drugs, marijuana (not recommended by a healthcare provider), or nonmedical use of prescription medications (assessed using the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication and Other Substances (TAPS) Tool); OR past 12 month alcohol use with positive AUDIT-C score (≥3 for females and ≥4 for males)
* OR, an existing participant in the Boston ARCH Cohort
Exclusion Criteria:
* Inability to consent or understand interview (determined by trained research assistant)
* Under age 18
* Plans to leave Boston area in \<1 year
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Any self-reported falls
Timeframe: 6-month window prior to study entry and 6-month window prior to each annual visit, for up to 3.5 years
2
Healthcare utilization
Timeframe: 6-month window prior to study entry and 6-month window prior to each annual visit, for up to 3.5 years