A Descriptive study on Role of Pleural Fluid C-Reactive Protein in Pleural Effusions

BACKGROUND: The pleural cavity, also known as the pleural effusion, is where fluid collects between both the parietal and visceral pleura which can develop independently or as a result of another parenchymal disease, such as an infection, cancer, or inflammatory diseases. The use of pleural fluid CRP in diagnosing exudative pleural effusion has been the subject of numerous studies undertaken all over the world. However, there are only a few studies with small samples that are available from India, so this study was done to determine the effectiveness of pleural fluid CRP as a biomarker for differentiating between exudative and transudative pleural effusions. AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the role of pleural fluid C – reactive protein in pleural effusion and its aetiology. OBJECTIVES: 1. To determine the role of pleural fluid C – reactive protein in pleural effusion. 2. To assess the diagnostic value of pleural fluid C – reactive protein in pleural effusion differentiating exudative from transudative effusion. 3. To evaluate the position of CRP in the diagnostic algorithm of pleural effusion. METHODS: A observational study was done in a tertiary care centre among 88 patients with pleural effusion to determine their CRP levels. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics of CRP in pleural effusion to differentiate exudative and transudative effusion. RESULTS: The pleural fluid CRP level was higher in exudative than transudative effusion. The AUC was 0.995 in the differentiation of exudative from transudative effusion (cut off value 43.4) using Pleural fluid CRP levels. CONCLUSION: The pleural fluid CRP was a potential biomarker in differentiating exudative from transudative effusions