Serum CA 125 is a Biomarker of Tuberculous Peritonitis and its Inflammatory Severity in Female Patients

Background: The tumor marker CA 125 is commonly used in the screening and diagnosis of ovarian malignancy. However, recent studies have proven a limited role for CA 125 as a diagnostic marker for ovarian cancer. Moreover, it is often elevated in non-cancerous and inflammatory conditions as well. Aims: To evaluate the utility of CA 125 in the workup of intestinal tuberculosis/ tuberculous peritonitis in female patients. Methods: In this observational study, patients with ascites were divided into two groups; tuberculous (group A), and non-tuberculous (group B). Each group had serum CA 125 measured and compared using independent sample t-test. CA 125 was correlated with ESR by using Pearson’s correlation test. Results: CA 125 was higher in patients with tuberculous peritonitis. (N=20, M=117.75, SD=35.95), than in patients without tuberculous peritonitis, (N=20, M=49.65, SD=25.28). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant, t (38)=6.93, p<0.001, Cohen’s D=2.20. Furthermore, CA 125 correlated positively with ESR, r=0.73, p<0.001. Conclusion: Tuberculous peritonitis must be considered in the differential diagnoses of patients with elevated CA 125 levels. Moreover, CA 125 correlates with the severity of peritonitis.