This study aims to identify the risk factors that lead to the development of metabolic liver disease in people who have been newly diagnosed with HIV. The research will take place across 9 centers in Türkiye and plans to include 250 newly diagnosed individuals with HIV, alongside 161 healthy individuals without HIV as a control group.
Participants will have their liver health checked when they first join the study (baseline) and then once a year for up to 5 years (at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months). The main goal of these visits is to monitor their metabolic health and understand who is at risk of developing a fatty liver condition known as MASLD (Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease).
During each visit, the research team will collect information about the participants' general health, including their height, weight, medical and family history, lifestyle habits, and sleep patterns. They will also record any medications being taken, including HIV treatments. To thoroughly check liver health, researchers will use routine blood tests (measuring things like cholesterol, blood sugar, and kidney function) and painless, non-invasive imaging tests, such as ultrasounds and FibroScans, to measure liver fat and stiffness.
Citizens of the Republic of Türkiye
Adults (≥ 18 years of age)
Confirmed Anti-HIV positive (Newly diagnosed)
Patients who are initiating Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
There are no specified exclusion criteria for this study.
he study population consists of 411 adult participants (≥ 18 years of age) who are citizens of the Republic of Türkiye, enrolled across 9 different clinical centers nationwide (Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, İstanbul, İzmir, Kocaeli, and Şanlıurfa). The population is divided into two distinct cohorts: a patient group comprising 250 newly diagnosed individuals living with HIV who are initiating Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), and a comparative control group comprising 161 healthy, HIV-negative individuals.
Cohort
Prospective
FibroScan (Transient Elastography)
Diagnostic testNon-invasive measurement of liver stiffness (LSM) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) to evaluate liver fibrosis and steatosis. Measurements are taken at baseline and annually up to 60 months.
Hepatobiliary Ultrasonography (USG)
Diagnostic testRoutine ultrasound imaging of the liver and biliary tract to evaluate signs of metabolic liver disease and fatty liver. Assessed at baseline and annually up to 60 months.
Clinical and Laboratory Monitoring
Other interventionAnnual monitoring including anthropometric measurements (BMI), lipid profile, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR score, renal and liver function tests, and calculation of the FIB-4 index. For the patient group, details of the initiated Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) will also be recorded.
Change in Hepatic Steatosis (CAP)
The development and progression of hepatic steatosis will be quantitatively assessed using FibroScan to record the Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP, measured in dB/m). Changes in CAP values will be compared between newly diagnosed HIV patients and healthy controls.
Change in Liver Fibrosis (LSM)
The development and progression of liver fibrosis will be quantitatively assessed using FibroScan to record the Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM, measured in kPa). Changes in LSM values will be compared between newly diagnosed HIV patients and healthy controls.
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Yaşar Bayındır, MD
Lead sponsor
Guven Health Group
Sponsor institution
Ilko Ilac San. ve Tic. A.S.
Collaborator
