Procalcitonin, and cytokines document a dynamic inflammatory state in non-infected cirrhotic patients with ascites

Table 2 Biochemical data of the 88 patients

Parameter	Ascitic Group 1(n = 41)	Non-ascitic Group 2(n = 47)	P value
Hemoglobin (g/dL)	10.8 ± 0.4	10.4 ± 1.7	NS
WBC (cells × 103/μL)	8.3 ± 1.3	6.7 ± 2.8	NS
Platelets (cells × 103/μL)	132 ± 13	157 ± 66	NS
Prothrombin time (s)	20.5 ± 1.2	17.7 ± 1.1	< 0.05
INR	1.8 ± 0.1	1.5 ± 0.1	< 0.05
BUN (mg/dL)	13.3 ± 7.2	21 ± 4	NS
Creatinine (mg/dL)	1.0 ± 0.7	0.9 ± 0.2	NS
Total bilirubin (mg/dL)	5.9 ± 1.0	4.7 ± 1.9	NS
AST (IU/L)	110 ± 40	98 ± 15	NS
ALT (IU/L)	66 ± 8	210 ± 111	< 0.05
Albumin (g/dL)	2.2 ± 0.1	2.6 ± 0.1	< 0.05
Ascitic fluid WBC (cells × 103/μL)	417.7 ± 172.5	N/A	N/A
Ascitic fluid PMN (cells × 103/μL)	196.9 ± 144.2	N/A	N/A
Ascitic fluid albumin (g/dL)	0.90 ± 0.14	N/A	N/A
Ascitic fluid culture	All negative	N/A	N/A

Data given as mean ± SE. INR: International normalized ratio; BUN: Blood urea nitrogen; AST: Aspartate transaminase; ALT: Alanine transaminase; PMN: Polymorphonuclear cells; NS: Non-significant; WBC: White blood cells.