Understanding how alcohol use affects people living with HIV

Biomarkers for Alcohol/HIV Research (BAHR) Study

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10791785

This study is looking at how drinking alcohol affects people living with HIV, especially how it influences their ability to stick to their medication and their overall health, using a special test to get accurate information about alcohol use.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-10791785 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of alcohol consumption on individuals living with HIV, focusing on how it affects their adherence to antiretroviral therapy and overall health outcomes. By utilizing objective biomarkers, specifically phosphatidylethanol (PEth), the study aims to accurately measure alcohol use over the past few weeks, addressing the limitations of self-reported data. The study will pool data from over 8,000 participants to clarify the relationship between alcohol use and HIV-related health issues, providing a comprehensive analysis of the effects of alcohol on this population.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who consume alcohol.

Not a fit: Patients who do not consume alcohol or are not living with HIV may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for people living with HIV by identifying safe levels of alcohol consumption and effective interventions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using biomarkers like PEth to assess alcohol consumption, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.