Table 9. Strength of Recommendation and Quality of Evidence
Category, Grade
Definition
Strength of recommendation
A
Good evidence to support a recommendation for or against use.
B
Moderate evidence to support a recommendation for or against use.
C
Poor evidence to support a recommendation.
Quality of evidence
Evidence from ≥ 1 properly randomized, controlled trial
I
II
Evidence from ≥ 1 well-designed clinical trial, without
randomization; from cohort or case-controlled analytic studies
(preferably from >1 center); from multiple time-series; or from
dramatic results from uncontrolled experiments
III
Evidence from opinions of respected authorities, based on clinical
experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees
Abbreviations
AIDs, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; ASC, atypical squamous
cells; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; BUN, blood urea nitrogen; CBC, complete blood count;
CD4, cluster of differentiation 4; CD8, cluster of differentiation 8; CDC, Center for Disease Control
and Prevention; CMV, cytomegalovirus; DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid; ELISA, enzyme-linked
immunoabsorbent assay; FBS, fasting blood glucose; G6PD, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase;
HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; HBsAb, hepatitis B surface antibody; HBsAg, hepatitis B
surface antigen; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; HLA-B, human histocompatibility surface
antigen encoded by the b locus; HPV, human papillomavirus; HRT, hormone replacement therapy;
IDSA, Infectious Diseases Society of America; IFA, immunofluorescence assay; IGRA, interferon
gamma release assay; IM, intramuscular; IPV, intravenous polio vaccine; LTBI, latent TB infection;
mL, milliliter; mm, millimeter; MSM, men who have sex with men; NAAT, nucleic acid amplification
test; NRTI, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor; OPV, oral polio vaccine; Pap, stained cells in
a cervical smear; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; PRN, as needed; PSA, prostate specific antigen;
RBCs, red blood cells; RPR, rapid plasma reagin; RNA, ribonucleic acid; SC, subcutaneous;
SIL, squamous intraepithelial lesion; STDs, sexually transmitted diseases; TB, tuberculosis; Td,
tetanus diphtheria vaccine; Tdap, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine; TST, tumor specific
transplantation; UA, urine analysis; VDRL, Venereal Disease Research Laboratory slide test; VZV,
varicella zoster virus; WBCs, white blood cells
Source
Aberg JA, Kaplan J, Libman H, et al. Primary care guidelines for the management of
persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus: 2009 update by the HIV Medicine
Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Disclaimer
This Guideline attempts to define principles of practice that should produce high-quality patient care. It
focuses on the needs of primary care practice, but also is applicable to providers at all levels.
This Guideline should not be considered exclusive of other methods of care reasonably directed at obtaining
the same results. The ultimate judgment concerning the propriety of any course of conduct must be made by
the clinician after consideration of each individual patient situation.
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