Evaluation of the role of leptin levels in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant ascites

Abstract EN

Background and aim: Leptin serum levels varies considerably among individuals.

It has been found to be reduced in malnourished patients and low or in the normal range in patients suffering from chronic illness.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of leptin levels in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant ascites.

Methods: serum and ascitic fluid leptin levels were measured in 40 patients with ascites (20) with different causes of malignant ascitis, (20) with liver cirrhosis.

Control serum samples were obtained from 15 healthy subjects.

Body mass index (BMI) and percentage of body fat (BF%) and skin fold measurements were calculated for all patients and control group.

Routine laboratory investigation, tumor markers, radiological studies, ascitic fluid cytology, culture and biochemical values were used for diagnosis of patients. Results: serum leptin levels were significantly elevated in cirrhotic patients compared to patients with malignancies and control subjects (P< 0.01) with significantly higher levels in females than males in all subjects.

Ascitic fluid leptin levels were significantly decreased in patients with malignancies compared to cirrhotic patients(P< 0.01).

Highly significant positive correlation existed between serum leptin levels and BF% ( p‹ 0.01) among cirrhotic group.

Highly significant positive correlation existed between serum leptin levels and skin fold thickness (p‹ 0.01) among malignant group. Conclusion: serum and ascitic fluid Leptin levels of malignant patients were significantly lower than cirrhotic patients.

This suggests a role of leptin in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant ascites.