Incidence of Discordant Pleural Fluid Exudates and Diagnostic Patterns: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Light's criteria use pleural fluid protein and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to differentiate pleural effusions as exudative or transudative. In a subset of exudative pleural effusions, discordance occurs between LDH and protein (ie, protein high, LDH low, or vice versa).

Research question

What incidence and diagnostic profile are associated with discordant pleural fluid biochemistry?

Study design and methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 995 pleural fluid samples between 2015 and 2017 from a UK tertiary center. Exudates were subdivided into concordant or discordant, with low protein defined as < 30 g/L and low LDH as < 170 IU/L. Demographic characteristics and diagnostic patterns were assessed in both groups. A χ² test and ORs (± 95% CI

SUBMITTER: Addala DN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12833483 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature