Leptin levels in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant ascites

Abstract

AIM:To evaluate the role of leptin levels in the differential diagnosis of ascites. METHODS:Ascitic leptin, TNFα and serum leptin levels were measured in 77 patients with ascites (35 with malignancies, 30 cirrhosis and 12 tuberculosis). Control serum samples were obtained from 20 healthy subjects. Leptin and TNFα levels were measured by ELISA. Body mass index (BMI) and percentage of body fat (BFM) by skin fold measurement were calculated for all patients and control groups. Peritoneal biopsy, ascites cytology and cultures or biochemical values were used for the diagnosis of patients. RESULTS:In patients with malignancies, the mean serum and ascites leptin levels and their ratios were significantly decreased compared to the other patient groups and controls. In tuberculosis peritonitis, ascitic fluid TNFα levels were significantly higher than malignant ascites and cirrhotic sterile ascites. BMI and BFM values did not distinguish between patients and controls. CONCLUSION:In patients with malignant ascites, levels of leptin and TNFα were significantly lower than in patients with tuberculous ascites.

Age and sex distribution in malignant and tuberculous serous effusions: A study of 127 patients and review of the literature

“…However, the difference in the male‐to‐female ratio between tuberculosis and non‐tuberculous benign lesions was not significant ( P = 0.42756). A similar trend was observed when the various studies from the review of the literature were taken into consideration (Table ); the malignancy patients (male : female = 730:649 with females accounting for 47.1%) were significantly different from tuberculosis patients (male : female = 656: 342 with females accounting for 35.7%, P = 0.00000) as well as non‐tuberculous benign cases (male : female = 232:129, P = 0.00014). However, the difference between tuberculosis and non‐tuberculous benign lesions was not significant ( P = 0.65151).…”

“…Whereas tuberculous serous effusion was mostly a disease of those aged <40 years, malignant effusion was a commonly found in the ≥50 years age group. A review of the literature (Table ) shed light on age and sex distribution in 13 studies that were based on pleural effusion and ascitic fluids involved by malignancy and tuberculous processes and six studies in which malignancy, tuberculosis and non‐tuberculous benign lesions presented with serous effusions . In all these 19 studies, the mean and/or median age of malignancy patients were ≥50 years, as opposed to tuberculous pleurisy cases in which the mean/median age was ≥50 years in just eight patients ( P = 0.00006).…”

Association of serum leptin levels and pulmonary tuberculosis: a meta-analysis

“…Of these articles, 31 were excluded based on the titles and key words; the full text of 36 was obtained and another 24 papers were eliminated after reviewing the abstract and full text. Eventually, 12 studies met our inclusion criteria were enrolled in this meta-analysis (5,18,(20)(21)(22)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32). These 12 case-control studies included 332 PTB patients and 292 healthy controls.…”