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

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. OBJECTIVES: To investigate agreement of Spec cPL with DGGR lipase activity and pancreatic ultrasonography in dogs with suspected pancreatitis. ANIMALS: 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 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 AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: 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.