       Document 3137
 DOCN  M94A3137
 TI    The slope of change in CD4 counts as prognostic factor in the
       progression of HIV infection.
 DT    9412
 AU    Touloumi G; Hatzakis A; Karafoulidou A; Milona I; Kapsimali V;
       Economidou I; Mandalaki T; Dept. of Epidemiology, Athens University
       Medical School, Greece.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):145 (abstract no. PB0005). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94369438
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To study the slope of decline in CD4 cell counts and to
       assess its relation to the risk of AIDS and age at seroconversion in a
       hemophilia cohort followed for 14 years. METHODS: 158 hemophiliacs who
       seroconverted to HIV between 1980 and 1985 were studied. The mean age
       (SD) at seroconversion was 26.2(15.4) while the mean (SD) duration of
       follow up time from seroconversion was 9.1(2.4) median 9.8. The slope of
       decline in CD4 cells counts was calculated for 139 hemophiliacs who had
       available at least 3 measurements of CD4 counts. RESULTS: The median
       slope of change in CD4 counts with time in the different groups of
       patients are shown: TABULAR DATA, SEE ABSTRACT VOLUME. Cox proportional
       hazards analysis indicated that the slope of change in CD4 cells was
       highly significant variable (p = 0.000) while the age at seroconversion
       did not remain significant after controlling for slope (p = 0.182). The
       increased decline of CD4 counts in the group with age < 10 years was
       mainly due to the normal lymphocytosis observed in this age group.
       Moreover, additional analysis suggested that the increased decline of
       CD4 counts in this group, was not associated with faster progression to
       AIDS. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The change of CD4 counts should be
       considered as a candidate surrogate outcome of HIV infection in clinical
       trials of asymptomatic individuals.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION
       Adolescence  Adult  Age Factors  Child  Comparative Study
       Hemophilia/*COMPLICATIONS  Human  HIV
       Seropositivity/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*PHYSIOPATHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  *Leukocyte
       Count  Predictive Value of Tests  Prognosis  Risk Factors  *T4
       Lymphocytes  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

