Diagnostic Utility of Serum Ascites Lipid and Protein Gradients in Differentiation of Ascites

Table 4

Cut-off values for serum ascites gradients and ascitic fluid: Total protein, Albumin, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL Cholesterol, and LDL Cholesterol between Malignant vs. Nonmalignant groups and Cirrhotic vs. Noncirrhotic groups.

Parameter	Malignant vs. Nonmalignant			Cirrhotic vs. Noncirrhotic
	Cut-off value	Sensitivity	Specificity	Cut-off value	Sensitivity	Specificity
Serum Ascites Total Protein Gradient	≤ 4	100	52.5	> 4	80	87.5
Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient	≤ 1.08	85	70	> 1.1	90	77.5
Serum Ascites Total Cholesterol Gradient	≤ 82	75	45	> 69	75	60
Serum Ascites Triglyceride Gradient	> 34	90	25	≤ 61	70	55
Serum Ascites HDL Cholesterol Gradient	≤ 1	35	90	> 11	65	70
Serum Ascites LDL Cholesterol Gradient	≤ 29	50	67.5	> 29	90	52.5
Ascitic Fluid Total Protein	> 3.3	90	67.5	≤ 2	90	90
Ascitic Fluid Albumin	> 1.7	90	72.5	≤ 0.8	90	90
Ascitic Fluid Total Cholesterol	> 51	95	70	≤ 29	90	95
Ascitic Fluid Triglyceride	> 49	50	75	≤ 39	75	77.5
Ascitic Fluid HDL Cholesterol	> 11	90	75	≤ 6	80	75
Ascitic Fluid LDL Cholesterol	> 34	80	75	≤ 9	85	90