Function of CA125 measurements in differentiating the malignant and tuberculous pleural effusion

Objective To explore the function of CA125 measurements in differentiating the malignant and tuberculous pleural effusion. Methods We selected 59 inpatients with pleural effusion admitted to hospital from October 2011 to December 2013 and assigned them into two groups,the one including 30 cases with malignant pleural effusion and the other including 29 cases of tuberculous pleural effusion. And the CA125 initial value of pleural effusion and serum measured in these two groups were compared. Results The differences of CA125 measurements in the pleural effusion between the two groups were statistically significant( P = 0. 018),and the differential diagnosis was accurate( AUC = 0. 739). The CA125 ratio of the pleural effusion and serum between the two groups had statistical significance( P = 0. 002),and the differential diagnosis had certain accuracy( AUC = 0. 793). The differences of CA125 measurements in the serum between the two groups had no statistical significance( P = 0. 139),and the differential diagnosis had low accuracy( AUC = 0. 575). Conclusions Pleural effusion CA125,the CA125 ratio of pleural effusion and serum have significance in differentiating the malignant and tuberculous pleural effusion; however,as for the serum CA125,there is no significance.