HIV Hypoalbuminemia - Ascitic Fluid & Serum Albumin

12/13/2007

Question:  What relationship may exist between tests of ascitic fluid and levels of serum albumin, especially in HIV patients with hypoalbuminemia?

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<1>

Unique Identifier [PMID]: 11268957

Authors: Dittrich S. Yordi LM. de Mattos AA.

Institution: Fundacao Faculdade Federal de Ciencias Medicas de Porto Alegre (FFFCMPA), RS, Brazil.

Title: The value of serum-ascites albumin gradient for the determination of portal hypertension in the diagnosis of ascites.

Source: Hepato-Gastroenterology. 48(37):166-8, 2001 Jan-Feb.

Abstract: BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between serum-ascites albumin gradient and portal pressure gradient in a population with ascites related to multiple conditions. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-seven patients were divided into two groups: group 1: 30 patients with cirrhosis as the cause of ascites, and group 2: 7 patients with ascites due to other causes. All patients were submitted to paracentesis and blood examination to determine the serum-ascites albumin gradient and the hepatic venous pressure gradient was measured. RESULTS: Mean serum-ascites albumin gradient was 2.0 g/dL in group 1 and 0.6 g/dL in group 2. Mean hepatic venous pressure gradient was 14.7 mm Hg in group 1 and 1.3 mm Hg in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant correlation between the serum-ascites albumin gradient and the hepatic venous pressure gradient (r = 0.502), indicating the reliability of the serum-ascites albumin gradient in demonstrating the presence of portal hypertension and its relationship with the origin of ascites.

Publication Type: Journal Article.
 

<2>

Unique Identifier [PMID]: 9840127

Authors: Bansal S. Kaur K. Bansal AK.

Institution: Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College, Patiala, India.

Title: Diagnosing ascitic etiology on a biochemical basis.

Source: Hepato-Gastroenterology. 45(23):1673-7, 1998 Sep-Oct.

Abstract: BACKGROUND/AIMS: The analysis of ascitic fluid has been complicated by several new tests. To simplify its assessment, we evaluated ascitic fluid pH with six other parameters prospectively and simultaneously in blood and ascitic fluid in sixty patients with ascites. METHODOLOGY: Sixty patients were selected on whom abdominal paracentesis was performed in order to determine which tests were the most reliable for the etiological diagnosis of ascites. Their ascitic fluid pH, cholesterol, albumin, and total proteins were analyzed to distinguish between malignant and cirrhotic ascites. The diagnosis of cirrhosis was based on histological findings, and/or clinical, biochemical, and endoscopic/ultrasonographic findings in whom percutaneous liver biopsy was contraindicated. RESULTS: The serum-ascites albumin gradient was higher (p<0.001) in cirrhotic as compared to tubercular, malignant or cardiac ascites. We discovered that ascitic fluid lactate dehydrogenase and cholesterol were best for diagnosing malignant ascites, ascitic fluid glucose and ascitic fluid/blood glucose ratio were perfect for diagnosing tubercular ascites, and ascitic fluid pH and lactate dehydrogenase were suitable for diagnosing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Correspondingly, ascitic fluid albumin, ascitic fluid/serum albumin, total proteins, and serum ascites albumin gradient were best for diagnosing sterile cirrhotic ascites. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic paracentesis is a useful procedure. The practice of ordering a battery of tests on every ascitic fluid specimen should be abandoned. Rather, an algorithm approach should be adopted in which the results of initial analysis guide us to further relent tests that help in arriving at the etiology of ascites.

Publication Type: Journal Article.
 

<3>

Unique Identifier [PMID]: 9517648

Authors: Elis A. Meisel S. Tishler T. Kitai Y. Lishner M.

Institution: The Department of Medicine, Meir Hospital, Kfar Saba, Israel.

Title: Ascitic fluid to serum bilirubin concentration ratio for the classification of transudates or exudates.[see comment].

Source: American Journal of Gastroenterology. 93(3):401-3, 1998 Mar.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: We compared the ascitic fluid to serum bilirubin ratio with three other ways of classifying ascitic fluid to the categories of exudate or transudate: the serum-ascites albumin gradient, the total protein concentration of the fluid, and the adaptation of Light's criteria for the detection of pleural fluid exudate, i.e., fluid to serum protein or LDH ratio or fluid LDH concentration. (Recently it has been reported that the pleural fluid to serum bilirubin ratio is statistically equivalent to Light's criteria.) Also, we evaluated whether the addition of the bilirubin ratio to the other criteria increases their diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: Eighty-one specimens of ascitic fluid from 81 different patients were obtained. They were analyzed prospectively by SMA12, whereas the category of the fluid was determined according to the clinical diagnosis. The diagnostic accuracy of each criterion alone and in combination with the bilirubin ratio, with reference to the contended etiology, were evaluated. RESULTS: The best criterion is the albumin gradient (overall accuracy = 0.84). The bilirubin and LDH ratio criteria had equivalent overall accuracy (0.815 and 0.802, respectively). The addition of the bilirubin ratio to any criterion did not improve its predictive or overall accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Ascitic fluid to serum bilirubin ratio is an additional marker for the distinction of transudate from exudate. A ratio > 0.6 has a statistically significant association with exudate.

Publication Type: Journal Article.
 

<4>

Unique Identifier [PMID]: 8858753

Authors: Akriviadis EA. Kapnias D. Hadjigavriel M. Mitsiou A. Goulis J.

Institution: Fourth Medical Unit, University of Thressaloniki, Hippocration Hospital, Greece.

Title: Serum/ascites albumin gradient: its value as a rational approach to the differential diagnosis of ascites.[see comment].

Source: Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. 31(8):814-7, 1996 Aug.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The utility of differentiating ascites into 'transudate' and 'exudate' has recently been challenged. The aim of the present study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the serum/ascites albumin gradient, proposed as a new biochemical criterion for the differential diagnosis of ascites, with the markers traditionally used for the classification of peritoneal fluid into transudate and exudate. METHODS: Paired ascitic fluid and serum samples from 51 patients were examined with an established method for the diagnosis of the cause of ascitic fluid collection. Included in the study were 32 patients with ascites related to portal hypertension (cirrhosis, n = 28; 'cardiac' ascites, n = 2; Budd-Chiari, n = 2) and 19 patients with ascites not related to portal hypertension (peritoneal carcinomatosis, n = 17; tuberculous peritonitis, n = I; secondary bacterial peritonitis, n = 1). Specimens were collected during an episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in 7 of 28 patients with cirrhosis. The serum/ascites albumin gradient was compared with ascitic fluid total protein, ascites/serum total protein ratio, ascites lactic dehydrogenase concentration, and ascites/serum lactic dehydrogenase ratio. RESULTS: The diagnostic accuracy was 98% for the serum/ascites albumin gradient compared with only 52%-80% for the four other markers tested. In patients with infected ascites, diagnostic accuracy was 89% for the albumin gradient and < or = 50% for the four other markers. CONCLUSIONS: The classification of ascites into transudate and exudate appears to be based on markers with low diagnostic accuracy. Differential diagnosis of ascites should be based on the serum/ascites albumin gradient, which is a reliable marker distinguishing ascites related to portal hypertension from all other causes of ascitic fluid collection, regardless of the presence of bacterial infection.

Publication Type: Comparative Study. Journal Article.
 

<5>

Unique Identifier [PMID]: 8781999

Authors: Sartori M. Andorno S. Gambaro M. Leone F. Molinari GL. Pontiroli L. Aglietta M.

Institution: Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche ed Oncologia Umana dell'Universita di Novara, Italy.

Title: Diagnostic paracentesis. A two-step approach.

Source: Italian Journal of Gastroenterology. 28(2):81-5, 1996 Feb-Mar.

Abstract: Diagnostic paracentesis is usually considered the first test to be performed in the assessment of the ascitic patient and a large number of investigations on ascitic fluid have been proposed. To assess the value of a simplified procedure, serum to ascites albumin gradient and ascitic white blood cell counts were employed as a first step. One hundred and fifty-three paired serum and ascitic fluid samples were analysed and allowed patients to be divided into three groups: 1) serum to ascites albumin gradient > = 11 g/L and white blood cells < 0.5 x 10(9)/L predicted cirrhosis (or liver carcinoma) without peritonitis with 83% efficacy, 96% positive predictive value and 65% negative predictive value; 2) serum to ascites albumin gradient > = 11 g/L and white blood cells > = 0.5 x 10(9)/L predicted cirrhosis (or liver carcinoma) with peritonitis with 86% efficacy, 45% positive predictive value and 99% negative predictive value; 3) serum to ascites albumin gradient < 11 g/L predicted the other diagnoses with 92% efficacy, 77% positive predictive value and 95% negative predictive value. As serum to ascites albumin gradient > = 11 g/L and white blood cells < 0.5 x 10(9)/L predicted cirrhosis (or liver carcinoma) without peritonitis in 96% of the cases and excluded peritonitis in 99% of the cases, further fluid ascitic analyses could be considered as a second step only in patients with serum to ascites albumin gradient < 11 g/L and/or white blood cells > = 0.5 x 10(9)/L. In a group of ascitic patients where the prevailing diagnosis is cirrhosis (or liver carcinoma) without peritonitis, this simplified approach could provide a favourable cost/benefit ratio.

Publication Type: Journal Article.
 

<6>

Unique Identifier [PMID]: 7977236

Authors: Cappell MS. Shetty V.

Institution: Department of Medicine, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson (formerly Rutgers) Medical School, New Brunswick.

Title: A multicenter, case-controlled study of the clinical presentation and etiology of ascites and of the safety and clinical efficacy of diagnostic abdominal paracentesis in HIV seropositive patients.

Source: American Journal of Gastroenterology. 89(12):2172-7, 1994 Dec.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical presentation and etiology of ascites in HIV seropositive patients compared with the general population and to analyze the safety and clinical efficacy of abdominal paracentesis in HIV patients. METHODS: We did a multiyear study of 24 HIV seropositive and 60 control patients with ascites undergoing diagnostic abdominal paracentesis at two university hospitals. RESULTS: HIV seropositive patients presented with similar clinical findings as other patients with ascites, except HIV patients had a significantly higher incidence of pyrexia and a lower serum albumin level and leukocyte count. The two groups had similar mean ascitic fluid values of lactate dehydrogenase, total protein, glucose, and erythrocyte count. HIV patients had a trend of a higher rate of infected ascites than controls (29% vs 12%; odds ratio = 3.12; odds ratio confidence interval = 0.80-12.3; p < 0.06; chi 2). HIV and control patients with culture-proven bacterial peritonitis had similar ascitic fluid leukocyte and absolute neutrophil counts. In eight (33%) of the HIV patients, major new diagnoses were made from ascitic fluid analysis, including spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in four, tuberculous ascites in two, fungal peritonitis in one, and lymphoma in one (control rate = 30%; not significantly different; chi 2). The HIV patients did not experience any complications from paracentesis, whereas the controls experienced one minor complication of prolonged drainage of ascitic fluid from the paracentesis site (not significantly different rates; Fisher's exact test). Six (25%) of the HIV patients had ascites caused by AIDS-defining illnesses of lymphoma, peritoneal tuberculosis, or disseminated candidiasis. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal paracentesis is a safe and effective clinical diagnostic tool in HIV patients. In addition to standard tests, ascitic fluid should be sent for mycobacterial and mycological histological stains and cultures in HIV patients. AIDS-unrelated causes are the most common cause of ascites in HIV patients, with only about 1/4 of cases due to AIDS-related diseases.

Publication Type: Journal Article. Multicenter Study.
 

<7>

Unique Identifier [PMID]: 7948823

Authors: Chen SJ. Wang SS. Lu CW. Chao Y. Lee FY. Lee SD. Wu SL. Cherng KL. Lo KJ.

Institution: Department of Medicine, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.

Title: Clinical value of tumour markers and serum-ascites albumin gradient in the diagnosis of malignancy-related ascites.

Source: Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 9(4):396-400, 1994 Jul-Aug.

Abstract: To determine the clinical value of tumour markers in the diagnosis of malignancy-related ascites (not including hepatocellular carcinoma), serum and ascitic fluid levels of carcinoembryonic antigen, cancer antigen 125, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, tissue polypeptide antigen and serum-ascites albumin gradient were determined in 66 patients with cirrhotic ascites, 28 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and ascites, and 29 patients with malignancy-related ascites. Three tumour markers and serum-ascites albumin gradient showed significant difference between patients with malignancy-related ascites and those without: serum carcinoembryonic antigen (26.4 +/- 31.5 vs 4.8 +/- 4.6 ng/mL, P < 0.01), ascitic fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (118.4 +/- 196.5 vs 2.0 +/- 1.4 ng/mL, P < 0.01), ascitic fluid carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (12,933 +/- 25,496 vs 23 +/- 67 U/mL, P < 0.01) and serum-ascites albumin gradient (1.1 +/- 0.4 vs 2.0 +/- 0.4 g/dL, P < 0.01). At the best cut-off levels chosen from near 95% of the data in those without malignancy-related ascites, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy to diagnose malignancy-related ascites were, respectively, 65.5%, 93.6%, 87.0% using serum carcinoembryonic antigen > or = 10 ng/mL; 69.0%, 94.7%, 88.6% using ascitic fluid carcinoembryonic antigen > or = 5 ng/mL; 65.5%, 93.6%, 87.0% using ascitic fluid carbohydrate antigen 19-9 > or = 50 U/mL; 62.1%, 98.9%, 90.2% using serum-ascites albumin gradient < 1.1 g/dL. Although serum-ascites albumin gradient offered the best diagnostic accuracy and specificity, its sensitivity was not good enough. Our study indicates that serum-ascites albumin gradient and tumour markers are not sensitive parameters in the diagnosis of malignancy-related ascites.

Publication Type: Clinical Trial. Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal Article. Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't.
 

<8>

Unique Identifier [PMID]: 8147357

Authors: Cappell MS. Botros N.

Institution: Department of Medicine, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick.

Title: Predominantly gastrointestinal symptoms and signs in 11 consecutive AIDS patients with gastrointestinal lymphoma: a multicenter, multiyear study including 763 HIV-seropositive patients.

Source: American Journal of Gastroenterology. 89(4):545-9, 1994 Apr.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Gastrointestinal lymphoma is a distinct subgroup of lymphoma in HIV-seronegative patients. This study analyzes whether gastrointestinal lymphoma similarly forms a distinct clinical subgroup in HIV-seropositive patients. METHODS: Case control study of medical records of 763 human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients admitted to three university hospitals from 1986 through 1992, including 22 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Eleven patients (50%) had gastrointestinal lymphoma, and 11 controls had extraintestinal lymphoma. RESULTS: The clinical presentation in patients with gastrointestinal lymphoma was dominated by gastrointestinal symptoms and signs and gastrointestinal complications. Common symptoms and signs included: change in bowel habits, gross or occult blood per rectum, involuntary weight loss, abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, peripheral lymphadenopathy, cachexia, and hepatosplenomegaly. Significant gastrointestinal complications during the presenting admission included gastrointestinal bleeding in five, intestinal obstruction in one, and dysphagia from an esophageal stricture in one. Subsequent complications included a walled-off perforating gastric ulcer in one and obstructive jaundice in one. In contrast, the control patients with extraintestinal lymphoma had significantly fewer gastrointestinal symptoms and gastrointestinal complications (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively, Fisher's exact test). Upper gastrointestinal series or barium enema identified lymphomatous gastrointestinal lesions in all seven patients undergoing these tests. The pathologic diagnosis was made from endoscopic biopsies in six of six patients undergoing panendoscopy, and two of three patients undergoing lower endoscopy. Tumor sites included stomach in six, colon in three, ileum in two, esophagus in two, and duodenum in one. Eight patients had extraintestinal lesions at diagnosis, including four with extraabdominal extranodal lesions. The outcome of gastrointestinal lymphoma was poor with all therapies (mean combined survival = 3.6 +/- 2.2 months), and was not significantly different from that for the controls (mean survival = 4.1 +/- 2.7 months, Student's t test). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that gastrointestinal lymphoma in AIDS shares the poor prognosis and aggressive features of extraintestinal lymphoma in AIDS, but has unique localizing features at presentation of predominantly gastrointestinal symptoms and signs, and frequent gastrointestinal complications.

Publication Type: Comparative Study. Journal Article. Multicenter Study.
 

<9>

Unique Identifier [PMID]: 8094764

Authors: Cirasino L. Landonio G. Imbriani M.

Title: Hypoalbuminemia in human immunodeficiency virus infection: causes and possible prognostic value.[comment].

Source: Jpen: Journal of Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition. 17(1):101-2, 1993 Jan-Feb.

Publication Type: Comment. Letter.
 

<10>

Unique Identifier [PMID]: 1616215

Authors: Runyon BA. Montano AA. Akriviadis EA. Antillon MR. Irving MA. McHutchison JG.

Institution: University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Title: The serum-ascites albumin gradient is superior to the exudate-transudate concept in the differential diagnosis of ascites.

Source: Annals of Internal Medicine. 117(3):215-20, 1992 Aug 1.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To compare the serum-ascites albumin gradient to the exudate-transudate concept in the classification of ascites. DESIGN: Prospective collection of ascitic fluid data from patients with well-characterized causes of ascites. SETTING: Hepatology inpatient and outpatient ward and consult service of a large, urban hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 901 paired serum and ascitic fluid samples were collected from consecutive patients with all forms of ascites. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The utility of the serum-ascites albumin gradient and the old exudate-transudate concept (as defined by ascitic fluid total protein concentration [AFTP]) were compared for their ability in discriminating the cause for ascites formation. RESULTS: The albumin gradient correctly differentiated causes of ascites due to portal hypertension from those that were not due to portal hypertension 96.7% of the time. The AFTP, when used as defined in the old exudate-transudate concept, classified the causes of ascites correctly only 55.6% of the time. This resulted in part because the AFTP of most spontaneously infected samples (traditionally expected to be exudates) was low, and the AFTP of most cardiac ascites samples (traditionally expected to be transudates) was high. CONCLUSIONS: The exudate-transudate concept should be discarded in the classification of ascites. The serum-ascites albumin gradient is far more useful than the AFTP as a marker for portal hypertension, but the latter remains a useful adjunct in the differential diagnosis of ascites.

Publication Type: Journal Article.
 

<11>

Unique Identifier [PMID]: 2273533

Authors: Dworkin BM. Wormser GP. Axelrod F. Pierre N. Schwarz E. Schwartz E. Seaton T.

Institution: New York Medical College, Sarah C. Upham Division of Gastroenterology, Valhalla 10595.

Title: Dietary intake in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), patients with AIDS-related complex, and serologically positive human immunodeficiency virus patients: correlations with nutritional status.[see comment].

Source: Jpen: Journal of Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition. 14(6):605-9, 1990 Nov-Dec.

Abstract: One of the major clinical manifestations of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex (ARC) is the development of cachexia. This most likely results from a multifactorial interplay of poor diet, malabsorption, and altered metabolism. To assess the potential role of nutrient intake in the development or persistence of malnutrition, a detailed analysis was performed of a 72-hr diet record in clinically stable patients with AIDS (N = 18), ARC (N = 12) and in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive controls without significant manifestations of disease (N = 13). Total calorie intake was 39.1 +/- 13.2 kcal/kg/day in AIDS patients vs 34.6 +/- 7.8 kcal/kg/day in ARC patients or 31.9 +/- 17.7 kcal/kg/day in HIV seropositive cases (all p = NS). Likewise, mean protein intakes were similar among the groups and exceeded recommended daily dietary allowance (RDA) guidelines. The mean body weight changes from the inception of illness were -11 +/- 1% in AIDS, -6 +/- 7% in ARC, vs +3 +/- 2% in HIV-seropositive-only cases (p less than 0.05 vs AIDS and ARC). Dietary vitamin and mineral analysis revealed that 88% of AIDS, 88% of HIV seropositive, and 89% of ARC patients were ingesting less than 50% RDA for at least one nutrient. The mean number of deficiencies per patient was 1.8 +/- 1.3 in AIDS, 3.8 +/- 3.5 in ARC, and 2.9 +/- 2.5 in HIV-seropositive-only cases (p less than 0.05 AIDS vs ARC). There were no significant correlations between specific anthropometric measurements and dietary intakes of protein or fat.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Publication Type: Journal Article.
 

<12>

Unique Identifier [PMID]: 2718255

Authors: Goyal AK. Goyal SK. Pokharna DS. Sharma SK.

Title: Differential diagnosis of ascitic fluid: evaluation and comparison of various biochemical criteria with a special reference to serum ascites albumin concentration gradient and its relation to portal pressure.

Source: Tropical Gastroenterology. 10(1):51-5, 1989 Jan-Mar.

Abstract: Among various biochemical indices measured in 93 patients with ascites, ascitic LDH estimation was proved to be indiscreminatory, while ascites/serum LDH ratio has shown a diagnostic accuracy of 85 per cent. Ascitic total protein levels and ascites/serum total protein ratio (accuracy rates of 72 and 77% respectively) were limited, especially in differentiating the ascites due to heart failure. Serum ascites albumin gradient, showed a strong correlation to portal pressure (r, + 0.83 + 0.88), and was found to be the best diagnostic index (with an overall accuracy of 97 per cent) in distinguishing the 'transudative' from 'exudative' ascites. However, no index could discreminate the 'mixed' cases and provide the etiological diagnosis of the ascites.

Publication Type: Journal Article.
 

<13>

Unique Identifier [PMID]: 6862152

Authors: Pare P. Talbot J. Hoefs JC.

Title: Serum-ascites albumin concentration gradient: a physiologic approach to the differential diagnosis of ascites.

Source: Gastroenterology. 85(2):240-4, 1983 Aug.

Abstract: Serum-ascites albumin concentration gradient, a parameter of oncotic pressure gradient reflecting presence or absence of portal hypertension, was compared with the usual parameters of ascitic fluid analysis in the differential diagnosis of ascites. Twenty-nine patients with liver disease and 15 patients with malignant neoplasm were prospectively studied. The group with malignant neoplasm showed higher ascitic fluid total protein level (3.70 +/- 1.28 vs. 1.66 +/- 1.20 g/dl), ascites to serum ratio of total protein level (0.58 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.26 +/- 0.14), ascitic fluid lactic dehydrogenase level (756 +/- 693 vs. 151 +/- 125 U/L), ascites to serum ratio of lactic dehydrogenase level (1.13 +/- 0.79 vs. 0.35 +/- 0.22), and lower serum-ascites albumin gradient (0.72 +/- 0.30 vs. 1.85 +/- 0.45) (p less than 0.001 for all parameters). Results of the serum-ascites albumin gradient overlapped the least between the two groups: all but 1 patient with malignant ascites while only 1 patient with liver disease had a gradient lower than 1.1. We conclude that the serum-ascites albumin gradient offers the best diagnostic discrimination between ascites caused by liver disease and ascites caused by a neoplasm.

Publication Type: Comparative Study. Journal Article.