A study on pleural fluid cholesterol determination for differentiating exudates and uric acid determination for distinguishing transudates

Objective To investigate the value of determination of pleural fluid cholesterol(Pch) and uric acid(Pua) to distinguish transudates from exudates. Methods Pch, Pua and the pleural fluid total protein(Ptpr) levels in 85 patients were measured. The ROC, sensitivity, specifity and diagnostic efficiency were studied. Results The sensitivity of Pch,P/Sch,Pua,Ptpr to distinguish transudates from exudates were 96.2%,90.4%,79.5% and 90.6% respectively. The specifity were 100.0%,89.7%,61.9% and 80.6% respectively. The area under the curve of ROC was 0.986 and 0.655, on Pch to distinguish exudates from transudates and Pua to distinguish transudates from exudates respectively. Conclusions Pch,P/Sch and Ptpr may be helpful to differentiate exudates. It is proved by ROC that cholesterol to differentiate exudates and uric acid to distinguish transudates in pleural fluid is possible. Pch has highest diagnostic efficiency(P 0.05). Pleural fluid uric acid may be valuable to distinguish transudates. Pua increase may be found in conditions associated with antioxidant response and suggest a good prognosis.