ALB and Pleural effusion: The following variables were found to be independent diagnostic predictors of pleural effusion and/or ascites: degree of hemoconcentration ≥15.1 %, lowest albumin concentration at the critical phase ≤3.49 g/dL, lowest platelet count ≤49,500/μL, and elevated ratio of AST ≥2.51 (Table 3).