Our results show that confirmation of second-line resistance with phenotypic DST should remain mainstay unless the sensitivity of molecular markers improves, to avoid unfavorable effects on infection control and patient outcomes.
Inclusion of all immunological markers improved prediction based on Hepascore alone (p = 0.045), but optimal prediction was achieved with an algorithm ("TIPscore") based on TGF β1 (total), IP-10, age, sex and HCV genotype (p = 0.003 relative to Hepascore).
As expected, Box-Cox power transformation on individual markers improved the diagnostic power by the best linear combination with the LDA approach by 4.7% than that of the raw measures.
Oxidative stress markers improved.
Inflammatory markers improved with both treatment regimens.
If the majority of patients had increased CA125, in the first place no marker alone or marker combination could improve on it.
Although a non-invasive test would clearly be useful, at present there does not seem to be any other serological marker that could improve on AFP and alternative strategies need to be investigated.
Interval mapping improves on the marker regression method by estimating markers (pseudomarkers) in between true markers.
The corresponding twin, Child 8, did not improve on any markers of oxidative stress and, likewise, did not improve performance on rating scales, subscales, composites, and indexes.
In contrast, K-877 100 μg BID had little or no effect on CV or renal markers, and hepatic markers were improved.
