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Previous studies have suggested that HIV-positive patients have higher levels of some inflammatory and coagulation markers than do HIV-negative patients — a finding that could at least partially explain the higher rates of non–AIDS-related morbidity and mortality observed among HIV-positive patients. However, no prospective data have been available to elucidate an association between such biomarkers and all-cause mortality in HIV-positive patients. To fill this gap, investigators conducted two substudies within the SMART trial, looking at high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin (IL)-6, amyloid A, amyloid P, D-dimer, and prothrombin fragment 1+2.
In the first substudy, the researchers assessed baseline biomarker levels and su…