A novel biomarker in the diagnosis of parapneumonic effusion: neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin

Table 1 Comparison of groups by etiology

Causes of effusion (N)	HF (25)	MPE (25)	PPE (25)	TE (25)	p
Age*	75 ± 9	71 ± 12	69 ± 16	39 ± 12	<0.001
Sex (W/M)	4/21	7/18	5/50	11/14	0.154
NGAL(S) (ng/ml)**	86 ± 31	103 ± 42	171 ± 56	63 ± 19	<0.001
NGAL(Pl) (ng/ml)**	84 ± 23	74 ± 22	147 ± 71	75 ± 43	<0.001
NGAL rate (Pl/S)*	1,05 ± 0,35	0,86 ± 0,43	0,99 ± 0,72	1,27 ± 0,71	0.158
Sedimentation rate (mm/hour)*	32 ± 20	57 ± 18	72 ± 24	49 ± 11	<0.001
CRP (mg/dl)**	2,2 ± 1,7	5,6 ± 3,1	17,3 ± 7,9	10,6 ± 5,2	<0.001
WBC (/ml)**	6615 ± 1490	9967 ± 4234	13826 ± 4723	6911 ± 1101	<0.001
Neutrophils (/ml)**	5005 ± 2164	7202 ± 4854	11326 ± 5430	4802 ± 1273	<0.001
Pl. Leukocytes (/ml)**	571 ± 382	868 ± 1262	2841 ± 4302	3072 ± 1625	0.001
Pl. Neutrophils (/ml)**	149 ± 213	257 ± 466	2530 ± 3553	744 ± 406	<0.001

* = Variables with parametric distribution. ** = Variables with non-parametric distribution.
CRP, C-Reactive protein; HF, Heart failure; N, Number of patients; ng/ml, nanogram/milliliter; M, Men; MPE, Malignant pleural effusion; Pl, Pleural effusion; PPE, Parapneumonic pleural effusion; S, Serum; TE, Tubercular effusion; W, Women; WBC, White blood count.

ISSN: 2049-6958