Ascites: Likelihood Ratios

Introduction: 80% of ascites is due to Cirrhosis.

The likelihood ratios of findings for Ascites are listed below. See the left navigation bar to change the display.

Good Positive and Negative Likelihood Ratios

Finding	+LR	-LR	Comments, Study
Ankle Swelling	2.7	0.1	Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
Flank Dullness	2.1	0.1	Study: JAMA. 1982 Feb 26;247(8):1164-6. PMID: 7057606
Increased Girth	3.8	0.2	Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
Peripheral Edema	3.8	0.2	it is unclear to me how this differs from Ankle Swelling (granted, that's history vs physical exam here) Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
Weight Gain	3.2	0.4	(recent) Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966

Good Negative Likelihood Ratio

1.9

0.3

Study: JAMA. 1982 Feb 26;247(8):1164-6. PMID: 7057606

1.4

0.5

Study: JAMA. 1982 Feb 26;247(8):1164-6. PMID: 7057606

Good Positive Likelihood Ratio

Finding	+LR	-LR	Comments, Study
Telangiectasias	inf	0.7	Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
Jaundice Duplicate	inf	0.7	by physical exam Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
Coagulopathy	6.5	0.8	Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
Palpable Liver	3.9	0.8	aka "ballotable" liver Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
Viral Hepatitis	3.4	0.8	Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
Jaundice Duplicate	3.3	0.7	by "history" Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
Fluid Wave	2.8	0.6	Study: JAMA. 1982 Feb 26;247(8):1164-6. PMID: 7057606
Everted Navel	2.8	0.8	or flat Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966

Poorly Diagnostic Findings

Finding	+LR	-LR	Comments, Study
Hepatic Carcinoma	0.9	1	Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
Heart Failure	1.7	0.7	Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
History of Alcoholism	1.4	0.7	see Alcoholism Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
Puddle Sign	1	1	with patient on hands and knees, percuss umbilical region for dullness Study: JAMA. 1982 Feb 26;247(8):1164-6. PMID: 7057606