The multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, 1983 to …

R Detels1, L Jacobson2, J Margolick2

  • 1School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, United States.

Public Health
|December 31, 2011
PubMed

Insights

The Multicenter AIDS Cohort (MACS) study tracks HIV natural history in men who have sex with men. It has collected extensive data and published numerous papers since 1983.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The Multicenter AIDS Cohort (MACS) study began in 1983.
  • It focuses on the natural history of HIV infection.
  • Research involves men who have sex with men.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To study the natural history of untreated and treated HIV infection.
  • To collect extensive data on HIV/AIDS.
  • To publish key findings in international journals.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study design.
  • Data collection from 6972 men who have sex with men.
  • Specimen and person-years data accrual.

Main Results:

  • 1,490,995 specimens collected by May 2011.
  • 86,883 person-years of data accrued.
  • 1195 scientific papers published.

Conclusions:

  • MACS provides critical insights into HIV infection.
  • The study has a long-standing contribution to HIV research.
  • Ongoing data collection and publication continue to inform the field.

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