title: Agreement of serum Spec cPL with the 1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero glutaric acid-(6'-methylresorufin) ester (DGGR) lipase assay and with pancreatic ultrasonography in dogs with suspected pancreatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spec cPL is the most sensitive and specific test for diagnosing pancreatitis in dogs. Its results have not been compared to those of the 1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid-(6'-methylresorufin) ester (DGGR) lipase assay or those of abdominal ultrasonography.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate agreement of Spec cPL with DGGR lipase activity and pancreatic ultrasonography in dogs with suspected pancreatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and forty-two dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  DGGR lipase activity (reference range, 24-108 U/L) and Spec cPL were measured using the same sample. The time interval between ultrasonography and lipase determinations was <24 hours. The agreement of the 2 lipase assays at different cutoffs and the agreement between pancreatic ultrasonography and the 2 tests were assessed using Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  DGGR lipase (>108, >216 U/L) and Spec cPL (>200 μg/L) had κ values of 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-0.9) and 0.70 (CI, 0.58-0.82). DGGR lipase (>108, >216 U/L) and Spec cPL (>400 μg/L) had κ values of 0.55 (CI, 0.43-0.67) and κ of 0.80 (CI, 0.71-0.9). An ultrasonographic diagnosis of pancreatitis and DGGR lipase (>108, >216 U/L) had κ values of 0.29 (CI, 0.14-0.44) and 0.35 (CI, 0.18-0.52). Ultrasonographically diagnosed pancreatitis and Spec cPL (>200, >400 μg/L) had κ values of 0.25 (CI, 0.08-0.41) and 0.27 (CI, 0.09-0.45).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although both lipase assays showed high agreement, agreement between ultrasonography and lipase assays results was only fair. Because lipase results are deemed more accurate, ultrasonography results should be interpreted carefully.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Kook
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kohler
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hartnack
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Riond
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Reusch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004285:Dogs / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005977:Glutarates; D008297:Male; D010078:Oxazines; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: C501502:1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero glutaric acid-(6'-methyl resorufin) ester; D005977:Glutarates; D010078:Oxazines; D012709:Serum Albumin
keywords: Diagnostic; Imaging; Laboratory; Pancreas