RESUMEN
Background: Tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) is the most common etiology of exudative pleural effusion in high tuberculosis burden countries like Bangladesh. The usefulness of pleural fluid cholesterol for the diagnosis of TPE is not evaluated yet. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of pleural fluid cholesterol for the diagnosis of TPE. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the department of respiratory medicine at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib medical university. A total of thirty-five TPE was included in this study. Pleural fluid aspiration followed by cytological (total count, differential count), and biochemical (protein, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, adenosine deaminase, and cholesterol) investigations were done. At the same time, blood was sent for biochemical (protein, glucose, and lactate dehydrogenase) investigation. Pleural biopsy followed by a histopathological examination was done to confirm TPE. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional review board (IRB) prior to starting this study. Results: In our study, the mean age of the participants was 35.54±14.13 years, and male predominant (74.3%). The mean pleural fluid cholesterol was 99.87±23.82 mg/dl. With a cut of value 69.85, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 97.14%, 57.14%, and 77.14% respectively. Conclusions: Pleural fluid cholesterol has significant diagnostic usefulness for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion.
RESUMEN
A cross sectional descriptive type of study was done in 98 women of reproductive age. Among them 25 were in control group of non pregnant women and 73 were pregnant women of 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy with and without iron supplementation. The period of study was July 2004 to June 2005. The main objective of our study was to compare serum iron and total iron binding capacity in pregnant and non pregnant women. In present study serum iron was significantly increased in 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy that was supplemented with iron when compared with the same category of women who were not supplemented with iron. On the other hand serum total iron binding capacity (TIBC) was significantly increased in 3rd trimester of pregnancy that was not supplemented with iron when compared with the same category of women who were supplemented with iron. It is evident that the significantly low serum iron and high TIBC in pregnant women is due in part to dietary iron deficiency. Therefore, iron therapy in pregnancy is helpful to maintain the serum iron and TIBC nearer to that of non pregnant normal women.