STUDIES OF SERUM AND ASCITIC FLUID IN PATIENTS WITH NON-MALIGNANT ASCITES

The differential diagnosis of ascites is important and is cumbersome .The present study was conducted to obtain the basic biochemical data in serum and ascitic fluid of patients with non-malignant ascites; These parameters utilize it for confirming the underlying causative factors for ascites.The parameters analyzed were liver enzymes (SGPT, SGOT and ALP), Adenosine deaminase (ADA), Creatinine, Amylase, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Total proteins and albumin. A total of 69 patients with non- malignant ascites (55 Males and 14 Females mean age 49 + 12 years) were studied over a period of one year. Involvement of liver disease was noted in 47 patients (68%), while the rest of the patients had peritoneal tuberculosis ( 7 cases – 10% ), nephrotic syndrome ( 9 cases -13% ) and pancreatic ascites ( 6 cases -9%).Biochemical analysis of the results with Lactate dehydrogenase, proteins and albumin data showed that SAAG (Serum ascites albumin gradient) is still the best criteria for the differential diagnosis of ascites.The present study emphasize the SAAG is useful marker for diagnosis of different ascites , and it will useful for the evaluation and diagnosis of malignant ascites.