Key result
Pleural fluid ADA >36 IU/L yields 100% sensitivity for diagnosing tubercular pleural effusion.
Why the study?
The value of adenosine deaminase level in diagnosing tubercular pleural effusion was studied to assess its diagnostic utility.
Does pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) level accurately diagnose tubercular pleural effusion in patients with pleural effusion?
Observational (n=50)
No
Does pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) level accurately diagnose tubercular pleural effusion in patients with pleural effusion?
Effect estimate: Sensitivity 100%, Specificity 77.7%
Pleural fluid ADA is a highly sensitive biomarker for diagnosing tubercular pleural effusion, with levels >100 IU/L being highly specific.
May support ADA at 36 IU/L to rule out tubercular effusion; leaves open prospective validation before routine use.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To study the value of adenosine deaminase level in tuber-cular pleural effusion. DESIGN: A hospital based observational study. SETTING: Out and In patients service of department of Tuberculosis & Chest Diseases, MLN Medical College Allahabad. PATIENTS: 50 consecutive patients of pleural effusion, who were above the age of 12 years, were studied. RESULTS: Pleural fluid adenosine deaminase was more than 36 IU/L (36 to 229.7 IU/L) in tubercular pleural effusion (34 patients). In case of malignancy no. of patients was 08 and pleural fluid adenosine deaminase was more than 18.5 IU/L (18.5 to 87.6 IU/L). While in one case of hypoprotenemiea pleural fluid adenosine deaminase was 8.21 IU/L. If 36 IU/L is taken as cut of limit the sensitiv-ity and specificity of ADA for tuberculosis is 100 % and 77.7 %. More than 100 IU/L was exclusively seen in tubercular pleural effusion. CONCLUSION: ADA > 100IU/L was observed in TB only.
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Verma et al. (2008) conducted an observational in Pleural effusion (n=50). Adenosine deaminase (ADA) level vs. Non-tubercular pleural effusion was evaluated on Diagnosis of tubercular pleural effusion using ADA cutoff of 36 IU/L (Sensitivity 100%, Specificity 77.7%). Pleural fluid adenosine deaminase >36 IU/L demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 77.7% specificity for tubercular pleural effusion.
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