Table 1

Prognostic factors for malignant mesothelioma (MM) analysed in a univariate Cox proportional hazards model (n = 142)

Variable	n	Hazard ratio	95% Confidence intervals		p value
Sex
Female	12
Male	126	2.24	1.10	4.52	0.013
Age	142	1.02	1.00	1.04	0.015
Weight loss
No	58
Yes	65	1.89	1.27	2.82	0.002
Asbestos exposure
No	20
Yes	87	1.10	0.65	1.84	0.73
Chest pain
No	32
Yes	95	1.70	1.08	2.68	0.017
ECOG performance status
0	56
1 or 2	73	3.33	1.19	5.07	<0.0001
White cell count
<8.3 × 10⁹/l	42
>8.3 × 10⁹/l	81	1.52	1.00	2.32	0.04
Platelets
<400 × 10⁹/l	73
>400 × 10⁹/l	50	1.67	1.12	2.48	0.01
Haemoglobin
>14 g/dl	79
<14 g/dl	45	1.66	1.10	2.52	0.01
Cell type
Epithelial	65
Mixed/sarcomatoid	55	2.71	1.80	4.08	<0.0001
Diagnostic certainty
Definite MM	87
Probable/possible	32	1.10	0.70	1.75	0.67
Surgical resection
Yes	71
No	47	1.43	0.95	2.13	0.09
EORTC
Low risk	49
High risk	75	2.39	1.59	3.62	0.0001
CALGB
Group 1	22
Group 2	2	3.03	0.67	13.70	<0.0001
Group 3	55	1.87	1.02	3.44
Group 4	5	2.04	0.72	5.73
Group 5	30	5.60	2.82	11.10
Group 6	9	10.94	4.53	26.42

For each categorical variable the reference category is given in the first row and the hazard ratio, 95% confidence intervals, and p value are given in the next row. Analysis of the EORTC and CALGB groups is also included. Age was assessed as a continuous variable.