Table 5. Frequency variables and results from the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.
| Variable | MPE* | BPE* | Univariate analysis OR (95% CI) | p | Multivariate analysis OR (95% CI) | p |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gender = female | 50/109 (45.9) | 60/198 (30.3) | 1.949 (1.202–3.161) | 0.007 | 3.205 (1.596–6.435) | 0.001 |
| Age ≥ 67.5** | 61/108 (56.5) | 92/198 (46.5) | 1.495 (0.933–2.397) | 0.095 | 0.996 (0.524–1.894) | 0.991 |
| Tobacco use | 57/108 (52.8) | 106/196 (54.1) | 0.949 (0.593–1.520) | 0.827 | - | - |
| Previous cancer | 34/109 (31.2) | 35/192 (18.2) | 2.034 (1.178–3.512) | 0.011 | 1.492 (0.720–3.095) | 0.282 |
| Massive effusion a | 30/109 (27.5) | 17/198 (8.6) | 4.043 (2.109–7.753) | 0.000 | 4.088 (1.604–10.414) | 0.003 |
| PF calprotectin ≤ 14,150** | 102/109 (936) | 99/198 (50) | 14.571 (6.451–32.916) | 0.000 | 10.938 (4.133–28.947) | 0.000 |
| PMN > 50%*** | 7/109 (6.4) | 57/198 (28.8) | 0.170 (0.074–0.387) | 0.000 | 0.429 (0.146–1.263) | 0.125 |
| pH ≥ 7.40** | 58/107 (53.2) | 92/190 (96) | 1.261 (0.784–2.027) | 0.339 | - | - |
| LDH ≥ 477** | 59/107 (55.1) | 92/195 (47.2) | 1.376 (0.857–2.209) | 0.186 | - | - |
| ADA ≤ 23** | 67/105 (63.8) | 83/194 (42.8) | 2.358 (1.446–3.846) | 0.01 | 1.653 (0.867–3.152) | 0.127 |
| Glucose ≥ 102** | 61/109 (56) | 92/192 (47.2) | 1.381 (0.861–2.215) | 0.180 | - | - |
| Dyspnoea | 89/108 (82.4) | 123/198 (62.1) | 2.856 (1.611–5.063) | 0.000 | 1.482 (0.709–3.098) | 0.295 |
| Pain chest | 39/108 (36.1) | 97/197 (49.2) | 0.583 (0.360–0.943) | 0.028 | 1.065 (0.546–2.076) | 0.853 |
| Cough | 35/108 (32.4) | 79/198 (39.9) | 0.722 (0.441–1.183) | 0.196 | - | - |
| Constitutional syndrome b | 46/108 (42.6) | 28/197 (14,1) | 4.478 (2.577–7.782) | 0.000 | 4.175 (1.996–8.732) | 0.000 |
| Haemoptysis | 5/108 (4.6) | 7/197 (3.6) | 1.318 (0.408–4.256) | 0.645 | - | - |
| Fever | 8/108 (7.4) | 72/197 (36.5) | 0.139 (0.064–0.302) | 0.000 | 0.290 (0.114–0.736) | 0.009 |
BPE = benign pleural effusion; MPE = malignant pleural effusion; ADA = adenosine deaminase; LDH = lactate dehydrogenase; OR = odds ratio; CI = confidence interval; PMN = polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
* Data are presented as the frequencies and percentages
** median cut off
***Clinical definition.
a Radiological effusion features: pleural effusion causing opacification of an entire hemithorax or when the fluid reaches the aortic arch
b Constitutional syndrome includes at least one of the following variables: asthenia, anorexia, and/or weight loss.