Diagnostic Utility of Pleural Fluid Calprotectin and Emerging Ratios in Evaluating Exudative Pleural Effusion (Code-T0117)
Keywords:
Pleural Fluid, Calprotectin, Exudative Effusion, Biomarkers, Emerging Ratios, Diagnostic Utility.Synopsis
Introduction: Exudative pleural effusion, a common clinical condition, arises from various underlying causes, including infections, malignancies, and inflammatory diseases. Accurate differentiation between infectious and non-infectious causes is critical for guiding treatment. Calprotectin, a novel biomarker, and emerging pleural fluid-to-serum ratios offer potential for improved diagnostic precision in evaluating exudative pleural effusion.
Aims and Objectives:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of pleural fluid calprotectin in exudative pleural effusion.
- To study the diagnostic utility of various emerging ratios in evaluation of exudative pleural effusion.
Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 100 patients with exudative pleural effusion. Pleural fluid and serum samples were analyzed for calprotectin levels, and emerging ratios such as pleural fluid-to-serum calprotectin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ratios were calculated. Diagnostic performance, including sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values, was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.
Results: Pleural fluid calprotectin levels were significantly higher in infectious effusions compared to non-infectious causes (p < 0.01). The pleural fluid-to-serum calprotectin ratio demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy, with sensitivity and specificity exceeding 90%. Emerging ratios also showed strong correlations with clinical and laboratory findings, outperforming traditional markers in distinguishing the etiology of exudative effusion.
Conclusion: Pleural fluid calprotectin and its associated ratios are promising diagnostic tools for evaluating exudative pleural effusion. Their high sensitivity and specificity make them valuable additions to current diagnostic protocols, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Keywords: Pleural Fluid, Calprotectin, Exudative Effusion, Biomarkers, Emerging Ratios, Diagnostic Utility.
