Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic yield of pleural fluid total protein, albumin, globulin levels and pleural fluid albumin/globulin ratios in different diseases. Method: Retrospective review. All patients with pleural effusions of whose final diagnoses, pleural fluid and serum total protein, albumin and globulin were enrolled. Globulin levels were calculated as the difference between total proteins and albumin. Patients were grouped based on their diagnosis as; tuberculosis pleurisy (TP), parapneumonic effusion (PPE), malign pleural effusion (MPE) and others. Results: A total of 237 patients were enrolled.The average age was 64±16. Female/male ratio was 39/198. Pleural fluid total protein (p-tprot), albumin (p-alb), globulin (p-glob) levels and pleural fluid albumin/globulin ratios (p-alb/glob) were statistically significantly different between the study groups. Conclusion: Differential diagnosis of pleural effusions is sometimes a challenge for clinicians particularly in endemic areas of tuberculosis. Pleural fluid total protein, albumin and globulin levels and pleural fluid albumin/globulin ratios might have roles in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusions.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
