Specificity and Sensitivity of Ascitic Fluid Total Protein (AFTP) and Serum Ascitic Albumin Gradient (SAAG) in Diagnosis Etiology of Ascites

Abstract

Introduction: Ascites is a pathological buildup of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. It worsens the patient's condition and develops as a result of a variety of underlying diseases. Understanding the etiologies is necessary for effective management. Aim of the study: The goal of the work was to evaluate SAAG and AFTP's sensitivity and specificity in identifying the ascites-causing factor. Understanding the various causes of ascites was another goal of the study. Subjects and procedures: The study comprised 100 participants who had ascites. They underwent a thorough clinical evaluation and diagnostic paracentesis. They underwent AFTP and SAAG tests. The specificity, sensitivity, and diagnostic accuracy of AFTP and SAAG were calculated individually after several diagnostic techniques were used to determine the etiology of ascites. Results: The studied patients had an average age of 57.44 ±10.5 years, and 57% were men. 91% had ascites associated with portal hypertension (PHT). The most common etiologies were liver cirrhosis (LC) associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) (78%) and malignant and cardiac ascites (4%). The SAAG has a 96.7% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 98.4% diagnostic accuracy compared to the AFTP's 94.6%, 100%, and 97.3%, respectively. Conclusions: LC linked to HCV was the most frequent etiology of ascites. SAAG and AFTP had high diagnostic accuracy in determining ascites' etiology. When the SAAG is high, PHT is present; when it is low, PHT is absent.