Incidence of discordant pleural fluid exudates and diagnostic patterns - a retrospective cohort study.

BackgroundLight's criteria utilises pleural fluid protein and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to differentiate pleural effusions as exudative or transudative. In a subset of exudative pleural effusions, discordance occurs between LDH and protein (protein high, LDH low or vice versa). Research QuestionWhat is the incidence and diagnostic profile associated with discordant pleural fluid biochemistry?Study design and methodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 995 pleural fluid samples between 2015-2017 from a UK tertiary centre. Exudates were subdivided into concordant or discordant, with low protein defined as <30g/L and low LDH <170IU/L. Demographics and diagnostic patterns were assessed in both groups. Demographics and diagnostic patterns were assessed in both groups. Chi-squared tests and odds ratios (+/- 95% confidence interval) were calculated for each diagnosis between discordant and concordant pleural effusions, and adjusted ORs calculated using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsIn 715 exudative pleural fluid samples, 229 (32%) were discordant. 85 (37%) of these displayed low protein, with high LDH, and 144 (63%) low LDH with high protein. The median age was higher in the discordant group than the concordant group (75 versus 70 years, p=0.01). The proportion of patients with the following diagnoses were significantly higher in the discordant group compared to concordant: fluid overload (24/229, 10% discordant vs 10/486, 2% concordant, p<0.0001), benign asbestos related pleural effusion (33/229, 14% vs 44/486, 9%, p=0.031) and ICU associated effusion (20/229, 9% vs 15/486, 3%, p=0.001). The following were less frequent in the discordant group: pleural infection (14/229, 6% vs 79/486, 16%, p<0.0001), and malignant pleural effusion (77/229 34% vs 206/486, 42%, p=0.025). These patterns were maintained when adjusting for age and sex.InterpretationDiscordant pleural effusions are common, and represent a biologically distinct entity with different diagnostic patterns compared to concordant effusions. Clinicians should assess for discordance early and tailor investigations accordingly.