Abstract
Introduction: Pleural effusion (PE) is a common manifestation of pulmonary and non–pulmonary diseases, and the first step for diagnosing the etiology is analysis of pleural fluid. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology of PE in a tertiary referral hospital in the North-West of Iran. Methods: All patients with PE who referred to the department of pulmonary diseases in tertiary centre of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences between 2015 and 2016 were enrolled. Complete enumeration method used for selection of patients. Required information including clinical findings, PE location, fluid appearance, and biochemical characteristics were recorded using a checklist and analyzed via appropriate statistical methods. Results: A total of 223 patients were included in this study. Congestive heart failure (CHF) was the most common cause of PE (n=67), followed by pulmonary thromboembolism and malignant diseases. PE fluid in all patients with CHF was transudative. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, CHF was the most prevalent cause of PE.
Highlights
Pleural effusion (PE) is a common manifestation of pulmonary and non–pulmonary diseases, and the first step for diagnosing the etiology is analysis of pleural fluid
Pleural effusion (PE) is one of the most common manifestations of pulmonary diseases that accumulates in pleural space by two major mechanisms: 1. Changes in the hydrostatic and oncotic pressures in situation such as heart failure, nephrosis, liver cirrhosis and, 2
A study in Bangladesh reported the tuberculosis as the most common cause of PE followed by parapneumonic effusion, malignancy, nephrotic syndrome, liver cirrhosis, and congestive heart failure (CHF).[3]
Summary
Pleural effusion (PE) is a common manifestation of pulmonary and non–pulmonary diseases, and the first step for diagnosing the etiology is analysis of pleural fluid. Congestive heart failure (CHF) was the most common cause of PE (n=67), followed by pulmonary thromboembolism and malignant diseases. In a study performed on patients with non-purulent PE in Qatar, tuberculosis (32.5%), pneumonia (19%), malignant PE (15.5%), and heart failure (13%) were described as the main causes of PE.[2] A study in Bangladesh reported the tuberculosis as the most common cause of PE followed by parapneumonic effusion, malignancy, nephrotic syndrome, liver cirrhosis, and congestive heart failure (CHF).[3] The same results were reported from other developing countries and proved tuberculosis as the most common cause of PE.[4]
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