Online Program

Nested and Multipart Studies: Flaming Fiasco or Efficiently Economical? (304234)

Lauren F. Collins, Emory University 
Kimberly S. Hagen, Emory University 
*C. Christina Mehta, Emory University 
Renee' H. Moore, Drexel University 
Igho Ofotokun, Emory University 

Keywords: Study design, nested study, multipart study

“Nested” and “multipart” studies are two ways of expanding the scope of a research program beyond what might otherwise be possible with available funding. Nested studies are cost-effective because they leverage the parent study infrastructure and personnel within which they are cocooned. Multipart studies are cost-effective because they leverage the same cohort of participants for use in interlinked research studies that share common components. There is little information on the practical implications of either nested or multipart study designs. This proposal will describe the real-world advantages, disadvantages, and important considerations of nested and multipart studies and highlight experiences gained from leading the statistical aspects of a complex nested, multipart study on whether estrogen insufficiency-induced inflammation leverages HIV-induced inflammation to cause end organ damage and worsen age-related co-morbidities affecting the neuro-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (brain), musculoskeletal (bone), and cardiovascular organ systems (heart; BBH study) conducted by the Specialized Center for Research Excellence on Sex Differences (SCORE) at Emory University.