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[AIDS-related complex: a superfluous concept?]
- Source :
- Klinische Wochenschrift. 68(2)
- Publication Year :
- 1990
-
Abstract
- The clinical value of different classification systems of HIV-infection has been examined in a cohort of 99 HIV-infected individuals. AIDS-related complex (ARC), Walter-Reed (WR) stage 5 and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) group IV without AIDS cases were equally capable of identifying patients with bad prognosis: Out of 12 patients progressing to AIDS, 9 WR 5, 7 CDC IV and 7 ARC. Prognostic parameters (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Haemoglobin, Leucocytes, CD4-lymphocytes and Beta 2-Microglobulin) did not differ in the three groups. However, there were great differences in the frequency of patients infected by homosexual contacts and of intravenous drug-abusers. Drug-abusers were more often seen in the ARC-group, whereas there was a slight dominance of homosexuals in the WR 5-group (and a marked preponderance in the AIDS-group). Using 3 different ARC-definitions we found an ARC-frequency of 10%, 24% and 41% in our cohort. Thus the great variability of the ARC-concept could be demonstrated. In conclusion we believe that for the purpose of clinical documentation and studies the ARC-concept is unnecessary. Further studies have to evaluate other classification systems (Walter-Reed, CDC) or to establish new ones.
Details
- Language :
- German
- ISSN :
- 00232173
- Volume :
- 68
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Klinische Wochenschrift
- Accession number :
- edsair.pmid..........b8b10294e4d2b5515f37c983c974d4a4