Skip to main content

Table 2 Comparison of pleural fluid LDH, ADA, and LDH/ADA ratio values between patients with TPE, UPPE, CPPE, and empyema

From: The pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase/adenosine deaminase ratio differentiates between tuberculous and parapneumonic pleural effusions

Parameter

TPE [A] (n = 72)

UPPE [B] (n = 23)

CPPE [C] (n = 15)

Empyema [D] (n = 9)

P Values

A vs B

A vs C

A vs D

Pleural LDH (U/L)

364.5 (55–1154)

316.8 (103–852)

2275 (1012–4446)

16,479 (1919–48,730)

.291

< .0001

< .0001

Pleural ADA (U/L)

33.5 (4.5–75.9)

10.55 (2.0–26.1)

37.9 (14.3–68.6)

137.9 (31.5–344.1)

< .0001

.377

< .0001

Pleural LDH/ADA ratio

10.88 (3.65–21.81)

41.33 (9.04–162.4)

67.3 (41.96–260.9)

87.50 (15.11–411.4)

< .0001

< .0001

< .0001

  1. Values are medians (range)
  2. ADA, adenosine deaminase; CPPE, complicated parapneumonic effusions; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; PPE, parapneumonic pleural effusion; TPE, tuberculous pleural effusion UPPE; uncomplicated parapneumonic effusion