Abstract
The prognostic value of age, sex, symptoms, histopathology, lymphocyte count, skin tests, immunocompetence (lymphocyte response profile to a spectrum of PHA concentrations), and stage was evaluated in 35 previously untreated patients with Hodgkin's disease by multiple linear regression and logistic analysis. Immunocompetence exhibited the highest correlation (R = 0.537) with survival status and was required as a common denominator for deriving best sets of two or more variables. In addition, immunocompetence contributed to all other variables combined (p = 0.023), whereas stage did not (p = 0.116). Immunocompetence, age, symptoms, and histopathology generated a highly discriminant (R = 0.784) model not improved by stage or by other variables (p greater than or equal to 0.159). The utility and generalizability of this model are shown by a correct classification of 91.2% of cases according to expected versus actual survival status and by a predicted correlation (R) of 0.71, respectively, neither improved by sex, lymphocyte count, skin tests, or stage. In comparison, the conventional triad of stage, symptoms, and histopathology correctly classified only 70.6% of cases and showed actual and predicted correlations with survival status of R = 0.550 and R = 0.51. We conclude that immunocompetence is a powerful discriminant risk factor in Hodgkin's disease that exerts a pivotal role on survival and serves as a basis for models of greater discriminant power and generalizability than the conventional stage-based evaluation triad. Immunocompetence-based models are expected to provide a more discriminating basis for clinical evaluation, prediction of prognosis, and treatment selection for patients with Hodgkin's disease.
Role of Neurophysiological Studies in Prediction of Prognosis of Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy OBPP