High enrollment and representativeness of MACS and WIHS study participants in the newly merged MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study

Abstract The MACS and WIHS cohort studies merged to form the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS) in 2019. We calculated the proportion of active MACS and WIHS participants seen October 2017-September 2019 (pre-merger) who enrolled in the MWCCS between October 2020-September 2024. Pre-merger, there were 4286 active participants: MACS (N=2038) and WIHS (N=2248). Complementary log-log regression was used to estimate factors associated with enrollment. Active participants pre-merger were 54% female, 62% living with HIV, 78% aged 45-74 years, with a median study follow-up of 17 years. Most historic MACS (81%) and WIHS (89%) participants enrolled in MWCCS, with 75% enrolling during the first year. Enrollment did not significantly differ by HIV serostatus, behavioral or socio-demographic characteristics. Most health-related factors were not associated with enrollment, including comorbidities (e.g., diabetes, hypertension) and HIV-specific clinical factors (i.e., CD4+ T cell count, viral suppression, antiretroviral therapy use). Factors associated with lower enrollment included age ≥75 years (aHR=0.68, 95%CI=0.55-0.83) and being underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m2), (aHR=0.64, 95%CI=0.45-0.88). Despite challenges inherent in merging two long-standing cohorts and with enrollment beginning during the COVID-19 pandemic, overall high retention across key participant characteristics demonstrate a strong foundation for the continued study of HIV-related morbidity and mortality in the MWCCS.

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Journal
AJE Advances Research in Epidemiology
Published
2025-12-31
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/ajeadv/uuaf025
Primary Topic
HIV-related health complications and treatments
Type
article
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article

High enrollment and representativeness of MACS and WIHS study participants in the newly merged MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study

Sabina Haberlen, Phyllis C. Tien, Charles R. Rinaldo, Valentina Stosor et al.
AJE Advances Research in Epidemiology
HIV-related health complications and treatments
article

High enrollment and representativeness of MACS and WIHS study participants in the newly merged MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study

Sabina Haberlen, Phyllis C. Tien, Charles R. Rinaldo, Valentina Stosor, Gypsyamber DʼSouza, Brad Aouizerat, Anjali Sharma, I. Ofotokun, Audrey L. French, Seble Kassaye, Trish Brown, Margaret A. Fischl, Susan Holman, Ryan Herrschaft, Mirjam-Colette Kempf, Matthew J. Mimiaga, Catalina Ramirez, Jacquett Batson
article en

Abstract

Abstract The MACS and WIHS cohort studies merged to form the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS) in 2019. We calculated the proportion of active MACS and WIHS participants seen October 2017-September 2019 (pre-merger) who enrolled in the MWCCS between October 2020-September 2024. Pre-merger, there were 4286 active participants: MACS (N=2038) and WIHS (N=2248). Complementary log-log regression was used to estimate factors associated with enrollment. Active participants pre-merger were 54% female, 62% living with HIV, 78% aged 45-74 years, with a median study follow-up of 17 years. Most historic MACS (81%) and WIHS (89%) participants enrolled in MWCCS, with 75% enrolling during the first year. Enrollment did not significantly differ by HIV serostatus, behavioral or socio-demographic characteristics. Most health-related factors were not associated with enrollment, including comorbidities (e.g., diabetes, hypertension) and HIV-specific clinical factors (i.e., CD4+ T cell count, viral suppression, antiretroviral therapy use). Factors associated with lower enrollment included age ≥75 years (aHR=0.68, 95%CI=0.55-0.83) and being underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m2), (aHR=0.64, 95%CI=0.45-0.88). Despite challenges inherent in merging two long-standing cohorts and with enrollment beginning during the COVID-19 pandemic, overall high retention across key participant characteristics demonstrate a strong foundation for the continued study of HIV-related morbidity and mortality in the MWCCS.

AJE Advances Research in EpidemiologyVol. 2(1)
Northwestern University (US), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US), Albert Einstein College of Medicine (US), Alabama Department of Public Health (US), Johns Hopkins University (US), University of Miami (US), Emory University (US), University of California, Los Angeles (US), University of Pittsburgh (US), University of California, San Francisco (US), Georgetown University (US), Johns Hopkins Medicine (US), John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County (US), University of Alabama at Birmingham (US), New York University (US)
Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance, National Institutes of Health, University of California, San Francisco, Center for AIDS Research, University of Alabama at Birmingham, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute on Aging, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Cancer Institute, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of California, Los Angeles
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 24%
HIV-related health complications and treatments
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