Contribution of clinical epidemiology to HIV infection management.

Introduction. - The objective of this publication is to make clinicians mor e aware of clinical epidemiology through our experience in the field of hum an immunodefiency virus (HIV) infection. Current knowledge and key points. - Clinical epidemiology is aimed at study ing diagnostic therapeutic and prognostic aspects of diseases, and their co nsequences, with the objective of improving both scientific knowledge and p atient's management, Examples, including longitudinal studies and clinical trials, illustrate the value of clinical epidemiology. Future prospects and projects. - Beyond HIV infection, the importance of bo th multidisciplinary collaboration and education of clinicians in regard to biostatistical and epidemiological methods is emphasized. (C) 1999 Elsevie r, Paris.