Diagnostic value of leptin, adiponectin and carcino-embryonic antigen in patients with malignant pleural effusion

Objective To study the clinical value of combined determination of leptin (Lp),adiponectin (Adipo) and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) in diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion.Methods The levels of Lp and Adipo were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and CEA was detected by radioimmunoassay in serum and pleural effusion of 36 patients with malignant pleural effusion and 42 patients with benign disease. Results The concentrations of Lp and CEA in the pleural effusion and serum of patients with malignant pleural effusion were higher than those in patients with benign pleural effusion (all P ＜0.01). The concentration of Adipo in the pleural effusion and serum of patients with malignant pleural effusion was lower than that in patients with benign pleural effusion (all P ＜0. 01). The sensitivities of Lp, Adipo,and CEA in pleural effusion were 81.0％ ,76.2％ ,and 64.7％,the specificities were 74.0％, 77.8％, and 88. 1％, and positive likelihood ratio were 3.12, 3.43, and 5. 44, respectively. The diagnostic value of combination of Lp and CEA and the combination of Adipo and CEA in pleural effusion was higher, the sensitivity and specificity were 52.4％, 96.9％ and 49.3％,97.4％, and positive likelihood ratios were 16.90 and 18. 96, respectively. Conclusions Lp, Adipo and CEA could be useful indicators in diagnosing malignant pleural effusion. The combination of Lp and CEA and the combination of Adipo and CEA in pleural effusion have higher diagnostic value in malignant pleural effusion. Key words: Malignant pleural effusion;  Leptin ;  Adiponectin;  Carcino-embryonic antigen