title: [AIDS-related complex: a superfluous concept?].
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.
authors.affiliation: II. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universität Köln.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fätkenheuer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schrappe-Bächer
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Salzberger
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Degenhardt
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Allolio
mesh_terms: D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies
vernacular_title: Der AIDS-related complex: Ein überflüssiger Begriff?