VEGF Correlates with Inflammation and Fibrosis in Tuberculous Pleural Effusion
Table 4
Pleural fluid variables and pulmonary function in patients with or without development of residual pleural thickening (RPT).
RPT (+)
RPT (−)
value
( = 14)
( = 28)
Effusion status
Effusion CXR score, %, mean ± SD
71 ± 20
44 ± 12
<0.001
Loculation, (%)
14 (100)
0 (0)
0.002
Pleural fluid
pH value
7.27 (7.22–7.30)
7.35 (7.25–7.39)
0.013
Glucose, mg/dL
100 (73–140)
106 (76–129)
0.947
LDH, IU/dL
328 (229–666)
289 (154–532)
0.126
Leukocyte count, cells/L
2840 (1521–4410)
1437 (720–2000)
0.028
PAI-1, ng/mL
143.1 (111.1–208.0)
113.7 (78.0–122.5)
0.043
tPA, ng/mL
10.4 (8.2–12.7)
15.8 (4.8–21.0)
0.028
PAI-1/tPA ratio
11.7 (5.0–16.7)
5.2 (2.9–8.4)
<0.001
IL-8, pg/mL
419 (312–985)
248 (96–502)
0.025
VEGF, pg/mL
2054 (1909–3387)
516 (274–693)
<0.001
FVC, % predicted
At 6 months
74 (73–75)
80 (79–81)
<0.001
See Table 2 for definition of the abbreviations. RPT: residual pleural thickening ≥10mm shown on CXR at the end of 6-month follow-up; FVC: forced vital capacity. Data are presented as median (IQR) unless specified.
