Open image in new window Fig. 1 ROC analysis for ELiA™ TRAb assay Open image in new window Fig. 2 ELiA-TRAb levels in the different groups enrolled in the study.
The two study groups enrolled in 2007 and in 2012 constitute a random sample and can be considered geographically comparable.
However, the first one dealt with small and differently sized groups enrolled in different periods (Dhanasekaran et al, 2010).
However, the study groups enrolled in the present and previous studies were much older than individuals who have the greatest risk for HIV infection.
The variable results noted across some of the studies included in our analysis could have been affected by any of these factors, as well as the different patient groups enrolled in the studies and different levels of placebo response.
The fertile and infertile groups enrolled in the study were matched as regards subjects' ages, plasma hormonal profiles (FSH, LH, estrogen, progesterone and prolactin), and endometrial PR expression (Table 2; Figure 1).
The study population included 892 military recruits (mean age 19.6 ± 0.8 years) from the two intake groups enrolling in military service in July 2004 and in January 2005 in the Kajaani garrison in northern Finland (64°N, 27°E).
There were no differences between groups in patients enrolled in any randomized trial (209 (11.2%) versus 239 (12.8%), P = 0.14), or the proportion in each group enrolled in any of the five most common co-enrollment studies (197 (10.5%) versus 223 (11.9%), P = 0.20).
Other clinical parameters, including LVSI, FIGO stage, histologic subtype, and nodal status of endometrial cancer, significantly affected the survival rates in the evaluated patients, demonstrating the validity of the patient group enrolled in our study (P in log rank was <0.01 for both progression-free and overall survival).
