Ascites: Likelihood Ratios

Introduction: 80% of ascites is due to Cirrhosis.

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

Pre-Test Probability (Prevalence): %.	Post-Test Probability (Predictive Value): %.	Switch to display mode.
Note that calculating probabilities from more than one** finding is inherently inaccurate because findings are not independent. (For example, using two positive findings that share a common pathogenesis is likely to overestimate the true probability.)


Finding	Result	+LR	-LR
[ + ] Ankle Swelling	+ 0 -	2.7	0.1
Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
[ + ] Bulging Flanks	+ 0 -	1.4	0.5
Study: JAMA. 1982 Feb 26;247(8):1164-6. PMID: 7057606
[ + ] Coagulopathy	+ 0 -	6.5	0.8
Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
[ + ] Everted Navel	+ 0 -	2.8	0.8
or flat Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
[ + ] Flank Dullness	+ 0 -	2.1	0.1
Study: JAMA. 1982 Feb 26;247(8):1164-6. PMID: 7057606
[ + ] Fluid Wave	+ 0 -	2.8	0.6
Study: JAMA. 1982 Feb 26;247(8):1164-6. PMID: 7057606
[ + ] Heart Failure	+ 0 -	1.7	0.7
Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
[ + ] Hepatic Carcinoma	+ 0 -	0.9	1
Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
[ + ] History of Alcoholism	+ 0 -	1.4	0.7
see Alcoholism Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
[ + ] Increased Girth	+ 0 -	3.8	0.2
Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
[ + ] Jaundice	+ 0 -	3.3	0.7
by "history" Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
[ + ] Jaundice	+ 0 -	inf	0.7
by physical exam Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
[ + ] Palpable Liver	+ 0 -	3.9	0.8
aka "ballotable" liver Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
[ + ] Peripheral Edema	+ 0 -	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
[ + ] Puddle Sign	+ 0 -	1	1
with patient on hands and knees, percuss umbilical region for dullness Study: JAMA. 1982 Feb 26;247(8):1164-6. PMID: 7057606
[ + ] Shifting Dullness	+ 0 -	1.9	0.3
Study: JAMA. 1982 Feb 26;247(8):1164-6. PMID: 7057606
[ + ] Telangiectasias	+ 0 -	inf	0.7
Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
[ + ] Viral Hepatitis	+ 0 -	3.4	0.8
Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966
[ + ] Weight Gain	+ 0 -	3.2	0.4
(recent) Study: J Gen Intern Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;3(5):423-8. PMID: 3049966