Serum albumin as a predictor of survival in HIV-infected women in the Women's Interagency HIV Study*

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Abstract
The level of serum albumin is associated with mortality in a wide variety of chronic diseases. However, few studies have examined the relationship between serum albumin and survival in HIV-1 infection. To determine whether the serum albumin level is associated with survival in HIV-1 infected women. Prospective cohort study. Patients were interviewed and examined at 6 month intervals. A North American multi-institutional cohort of HIV-infected women from five geographical areas. A total of 2056 HIV-infected women at various stages of disease. Mortality during the first 3 years of follow-up. The relative risk of death by serum albumin level was estimated using a proportional hazards ratio adjusted for CD4 cell count, HIV-1-RNA level and other relevant covariates. Three year mortality for women in the lowest serum albumin category (P The baseline serum albumin level is an independent predictor of mortality in HIV-1-infected women. The serum albumin level may be a useful additional marker of HIV-1 disease progression, particularly among asymptomatic women with little or no evidence of immunosuppression.