Background: Due to the low efficiency of single clinical feature or laboratory variable in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion (TBPE), The diagnosis of TBPE is still challenging. This study aimed to build an efficient scoring diagnostic model based on laboratory variables and clinical features to differentiate TBPE from non-tuberculous pleural effusion(non-TBPE).
Methods: A retrospective study of 125 patients (63 with TBPE; 62 with non-TBPE) were undertaken. Univariate analysis was used to select the laboratory and clinical variables relevant to the model composition. The statistically different variables were selected to undergo binary logistic regression. Variables B coefficients were used to define a numerical score to calculate a scoring model. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to calculate the best cut-off value and evaluate the performance of the model.
Results: Six variables were selected in the scoring model: Age ≤ 46 years old (4.96 point), Male (2.44 point), No cancer (3.19 point), Positive T-cell Spot (T-SPOT) results (4.69 point), Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) ≥ 24.5U/L (2.48 point), C-reactive Protein (CRP) ≥ 52.8mg/L (1.84 point). With a cut-off value of total score was 11.038 points, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the scoring model was 93.7%, 96.8% and 99.2% respectively.
Conclusion: The scoring model was efficient to differentiate TBPE from non-TBPE.