title: Cohort profile: the Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study (OCS).
abstract: The Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study (OCS) is an observational, open dynamic cohort of people who are receiving medical care for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Ontario, Canada. Established in the mid-1990s, the OCS has its roots in AIDS activists' demands for research that would improve the quality of life of people living with HIV while respecting their privacy. It is a collaborative and community-driven study, including a Governance Committee made up of people with HIV and other stakeholders that evaluates analysis project proposals for community relevance and ethics. From 1995 to 2010, a total of 5644 participants were enrolled and 27,720 person-years of observation were accumulated; follow-up will continue until at least 2015. In the initial years of study, the focus was on clinical data from medical chart reviews. It has since evolved into a comprehensive study that collects extensive de-identified information on clinical, laboratory and psychosocial and behavioural measures based on medical chart abstractions, interviews using a standardized questionnaire and linkage with external administrative health databases in Ontario. Interested collaborators are encouraged to submit analysis project proposals as instructed on the study website (www.ohtncohortstudy.ca).
authors.affiliation: Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. srourke@ohtn.on.ca
authors.forename: Sean B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Rourke
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Ann N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Burchell
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Raboud
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rueda
authors.forename: Ahmed M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bayoumi
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loutfy
authors.forename: Curtis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smieja
authors.forename: Darien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: DiPede
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wobeser
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Major
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Waring
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cairney
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mittmann
authors.forename: Irving E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Salit
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Crouzat
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gough
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ralph
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sandre
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kilby
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rachlis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents