About

The Data Collection o­n Adverse events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) is a prospective multi-cohort study of HIV-1 positive persons under active follow up. The purpose of the study is to assess the incidence of myocardial infarction among HIV/AIDS patients who are receiving anti-retroviral therapy.

11 cohorts worldwide are participating, with a total current enrolment of more than 49,000 patients from 212 clinics in 33 countries in Europe, USA and Australia. The patients have contributed 339,108 person-years of follow-up as of January 31st 2012. The original study population of 23,441 were enrolled December 1999 - April 2001, and is referred to as D:A:D Cohort I; an additional 12,900 were enrolled in D:A:D Cohort II throughout the Spring 2004, and more than 16,000 were enrolled in D:A:D Cohort III in 2010.

The data collection for D:A:D takes place at least every 8 months. Each cohort gathers and computerises its data which is subsequently merged in a database in Copenhagen. The core data in the study is information o­n incident cases of cardiovascular disease, which are reported immediately to the local cohort coordinating office by fax, using the event reporting forms.

The data collection also includes information o­n risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as previous myocardial infarction or stroke, hereditary tendency, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hypertension, non-AIDS defining malignancies, end-stage renal disease, end-stage liver disease and death.

Support for the study is given by 'The Oversight Committee for The Evaluation of Metabolic Complications of HAART', and a number of pharmaceutical companies producing anti-retroviral drugs contribute financially.

The study is supervised by a Steering Committee with representation from each cohort, EMA, patient community, and industry.