Optimal threshold values by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of continuous variables predicting pleurodesis
| Variable* | Threshold value | Area under the curve (95% CI) | Sensitivity (95% CI) | Specificity (95% CI) | PPV (95% CI) | NPV (95% CI) | PLR | NLR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protein level | ≥ 44 g/L | 0.69 (0.65–0.72) | 0.45 (0.41–0.50) | 0.81 (0.77–0.84) | 0.63 (0.57–0.68) | 0.67 (0.64–0.71) | 2.35 | 0.68 |
| Albumin level | ≥ 25 g/L | 0.71 (0.68–0.75) | 0.47 (0.42–0.52) | 0.82 (0.79–0.85) | 0.65 (0.59–0.71) | 0.69 (0.65–0.72) | 2.64 | 0.65 |
| % eosinophils | ≥ 6% | 0.55 (0.52–0.58) | 0.09 (0.07–0.12) | 0.96 (0.94–0.97) | 0.61 (0.49–0.73) | 0.60 (0.57–0.63) | 2.22 | 0.95 |
| % other cells | 0% | 0.55 (0.51–0.58) | 0.60 (0.55–0.65) | 0.47 (0.43–0.51) | 0.44 (0.40–0.49) | 0.62 (0.57–0.67) | 1.12 | 0.86 |
Note: CI = confidence interval, NLR = negative likelihood ratio, NPV = negative predictive value, PLR = positive likelihood ratio, PPV = positive predictive value.
↵* All tests were performed on pleural fluid.