Author/Authors :
Rezaeetalab, Fariba Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis Research Center (LD/TRC) - School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Parizadeh, Mohhamad Reza Department of Biochemical Laboratories - School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Esmaeely, Habibollah Department of Public Health - School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Akbari, Hadi Department of Internal Medicine - Emergency Ward - Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Akbari, Farzaneh Department of Pulmonary Diseases - School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Soheila Saberi Brain and Mind Research Institute - University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Abstract :
BACKGROUND: Differentiation between exudative and transudative pleural effusions is the initial step in assessment of
pleural effusion. The aim of this study was to determine whether high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and tumor
necrosis factor α (TNFα) are diagnostic utilities for exudative pleural effusion.
METHODS: This experimental study assessed 79 patients with pleural effusion who underwent diagnostic evaluations at
Imam Reza hospital, Mashhad, Iran in 2009-2010. The complete biochemical analysis of pleural fluid, pleural fluid culture,
and pathological examination of pleural fluid and tissue were performed. Moreover, hsCRP and TNFα concentrations
were measured in pleural fluid samples. The data was analyzed by student's t-test and Mann-Whitney test.
RESULTS: According to Light's criteria, 50 patients (63.30%) had exudative effusions while 29 subjects (36.70%) had
transudative effusion. The pleural fluid concentrations of hsCRP and TNFα were significantly higher in the exudative
group than the transudative group (p < 0.05). At a cutoff value of 5 mg/L for hsCRP, the results showed 94% sensitivity
and 96.6% specificity. Regarding TNFα, a cutoff value of 12.9 ng/dl represented 96% sensitivity and 93% specificity.
Keywords :
Pleural Effusion , Exudative , Transudative , HsCRP , TNFα
