CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS FOR HIV-INFECTION - A TRIAL INCLUDING 170 PATIENTS

The Center for Disease Control of Atlanta published a revised classifi cation system for HIV infection in 1993. A study was made to compare C DC 1987 classification, WHO staging (1990) and CDC 1993 classification . 170 patients were included in this 6 month long study. CDC 1987 clas sification was the best applied, with only few mistake. Clinical statu s of the patient was more accurately defined in this classification. N evertheless, weight loss and cachexia were often neglected by physicia ns. Immunological status of the patient (CD4+ lymphocyte count) did no t appear in this classification. It seems that data concerning a patie nt presenting symptomatic primary HIV infection should appear in all c lassification systems,whatever the evolution of the disease may be.