Table 1.

Comparison of clinical and laboratory findings between patients with TPE and PPE

Parameter	TPE (n = 72)	PPE (n = 47)	P Value
Demographic data:
Age, years	51.5 (17–82)	59.0 (26–93)	.014
Male sex	49 (68.1%)	33 (75%)
Blood values:
Albumin, g/dl	67.25 (55.3–81.6)	66.1 (52.5–79.5)	.633
LDH, U/L	81.0 (111–321)	180.3 (118–433)	.618
Pleural fluid values:
Protein, g/dl	50.0 (9.6–65.1)	47.6 (19.1–65)	.045
LDH, U/L	364.5 (55–1154)	4037 (103–48,730)	< .001
ADA, U/L	33.5 (4.5–75.9)	43.3 (2.0–344.1)	.249
LDH/ADA ratio	10.88 (3.65–21.81)	66.91 (9.04–411.4)	< .0001

Continuous variables are presented as the median (range) and qualitative variables as the number and percentage.

ADA, adenosine deaminase; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; PPE, parapneumonic pleural effusion; TPE, tuberculous pleural effusion