1. VACS Physical Function & Disability Working Group
Kris Ann Oursler, MD, ScM
Founding Chair
Kathleen Akgün, MD, MS
Co-Chair
Members: Todd Brown, Kendall Bryant, Kristina Crothers, Stephen Crystal, Matthew Freiberg, David Leaf, Mehri McKellar, Karen Nieves-Lugo*, John Sorkin, Hilary Tindle, Janet Tate, Julie Womack
*NIMH F Post-doctoral fellow George Washington University

2. Working Group Highlights 2016
Peer Reviewed Publications
Akgün KM, Tate JP, Oursler KK, Crystal S, Leaf DA, Womack JA, Brown TT, Justice AC, Crothers K. Association of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with frailty measurements in HIV-infected and uninfected Veterans. AIDS. 2016
Nieves-Lugo K, Del Rio-Gonzalez AM, Reisen C, Poppen P, Oursler KK, Zea MC. Greater Depressive Symptoms and Higher Viral Load Are Associated with Poor Physical Function among Latino Men Living with HIV. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care.2016
Conference Presentations
Hillary McClintic, Matthew Freiberg, Stephen Crystal, David Leaf, Julie A Womack, Karen Nieves-Lugo, Janet Tate, Kristina Crothers, Amy Justice, Krisann Oursler. Physical Function and Inflammation in Older HIV-infected Men.
2017 CROI, Seattle, Washington. Abstract ID: 1345
Karen Nieves-Lugo, Maria Cecilia Zea, Todd Brown, Krisann Oursler & VACS Physical Function Working Group. Is depression associated with poor physical function in a sample of HIV-infected and uninfected veterans. GSA 69th Annual Scientific Meeting, New Orleans, LA , Abstract ID:
Current Projects
Association of cardiac function with aerobic capacity and six-minute walk distance (MS draft)
Effect of chronic inflammation on objective versus subjective measures of physical function (MS draft)
Psychological and behavioral factors relevant to physical function (F-32 funded; MS draft)
Race differences in change in physical function in older male Veterans with HIV (Duke CFAR funded; analysis phase)
Trajectory analysis of physical function: predictors of a successful aging phenotype (analysis phase)
Resistance & aerobic circuit exercise (RACE): an exercise intervention pilot project