Dear colleagues,

The study entitled "Data collection o­n Adverse events of HIV-Drugs (DAD)" will address the question of whether long-term use of anti-HIV drugs and various combinations hereof influence the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

More than 20.000 patients from 3 continents will participate in the study, in a unique collaboration between existing cohort structures. By the first half of 2002 we expect to have collected in excess of 35.000 person-years of prospectively collected follow-up from these patients.

This study is likely to be the sole source of data o­n this potentially important adverse event.

We at the DAD coordinating office would like to extend our gratitude for your interest and dedication, as investigators in this study.

The success of the study relies o­n the quality of the data collected from each and everyone of the participating investigators. Please keep a close eye o­n any cardiovascular events occurring in patients at your site and report these events promptly. Further, please try to maintain optimal follow-up of all patients entering the DAD study, as a high lost-to-follow-up rate will severely compromise the ability of the study to reach firm conclusions.

We will keep you informed of any significant developments in the study through regularly circulated newsletters.

If there are comments or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best wishes

Updated: 03 Jan 2006