title: Differentiation of exudate from transudate ascites based on the dipstick values of protein, glucose, and pH.
abstract: The aim of present study was to determine the reliability of the dipstick values (protein, glucose, and pH) for differentiation of exudate from transudate ascites in comparison with the serum-ascites albumin gradient as criterion standard. A total of 100 patients with ascites (58 males and 42 females; mean age, 55.6 ± 16.1 years) were studied for the different causes of ascites. Peripheral blood samples were obtained, and at the same time, the patients underwent paracentesis. There were 62 cases (62.0%) of transudate ascites and 38 (38.0%) of exudates ascites, based on serum-ascites albumin gradient. Using logistic regression, we found a dipstick equation (K = 0.012Protein - 0.012Glucose - 3.329pH + 23.498) to differentiate transudate (K < 0) from exudate (K > 0) ascites. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of dipstick equation to diagnose ascites as transudate and exudate were 93.8%, 94.4%, 96.8%, and 89.5%, respectively, and 94.4%, 93.9%, 89.5%, and 96.9%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.915 (95% confidence interval, 0.848-0.982; P < .001). We concluded that the dipstick can be an inexpensive, rapid, and simple option for categorizing ascites into transudate and exudate and can be used routinely for this purpose in clinical practice.
authors: Emergency Medicine Department, Haftom Tir Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Kamran
authors: K
authors: Heidari
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Amiri
authors: Hamid
authors: H
authors: Kariman
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Bassiri
authors: Hossein
authors: H
authors: Alimohammadi
authors: Hamidreza Reza
authors: HR
authors: Hatamabadi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019152:Paracentesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D011934:Reagent Strips; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011506:Proteins; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012709:Serum Albumin; D005947:Glucose