title: [Value of quantification of p24 antigen in plasma as a prognostic marker of survival in a cohort of 251 HIV-positive patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyse plasma p24 antigen as a marker of survival in a cohort of HIV-infected patients whose time of seroconversion is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  AIDS Unit in a teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  251 patients were studied, most on antiretroviral therapy. Mean initial CD4 cell counts were 376 x 106/ 1 (range: 0.8-1350). 51 cases had been diagnosed previously with AIDS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of survival, according to initial plasma p24 antigen was performed by Kaplan-Meier test. Relative risks were calculated by Cox's proportional hazards model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During a follow-up period of 24 months, 46 patients died. Relative risk (RR) of death related to the group with p24 antigen = < 40 pg/ml was 3.32 when p24 antigen > 40 pg/ml (p = 0.0001). CD4+ cell levels adjusting, the result was 2.47 (CI 95% 1.37-4.46) (p = 0.0027).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma levels of p24 antigen is useful as a marker of the risk of death and it behaves as a independent prognostic marker in our patients. P24 antigen = < 40 pg/ml is associated with a better prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rubio Caballero
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nogués Biau
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Falguera Sacrest
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Puig Gatnau
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lorente
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000097:blood*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors