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Predictors of mortality within three months in the patients with malignant pleural effusion

Mehmet Oğuzhan Ozyurtkan1, Akin Eraslan Balci, Muharrem Cakmak

  • 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Firat University Medical Faculty, Elaziğ, Turkey. moozyurtkan@hotmail.com

European Journal of Internal Medicine
|February 4, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) patients with high-risk tumors, poor performance status, and low glucose levels in pleural fluid face early mortality. Talc pleurodesis can help prevent fluid reaccumulation.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pulmonology
  • Palliative Care

Background:

  • Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is associated with a poor prognosis, typically a life expectancy of 3-12 months.
  • Identifying predictors of early mortality (EM) within three months is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the predictors of early mortality (EM) in patients diagnosed with malignant pleural effusion (MPE).
  • To evaluate the efficacy of talc pleurodesis in preventing fluid reaccumulation.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 85 patients with MPE, categorized into early mortality (Group I) and survival beyond three months (Group II).
  • Analysis of demographical, clinical, and biochemical parameters in pleural fluid to identify EM predictors.
  • Assessment of the 30-day response rate of talc pleurodesis.

Main Results:

  • High-risk tumors (lung, stomach, bladder, etc.), low Karnofsky performance score (KPS), low pleural fluid pH, glucose, total protein, and albumin were significant univariate predictors of EM.
  • Multivariate analysis identified high-risk tumors, lower KPS, and lower pleural fluid glucose as independent predictors of EM.
  • Talc pleurodesis was performed in 63% of patients and significantly prevented fluid reaccumulation (p=0.04).

Conclusions:

  • High-risk tumors, poor performance status (low KPS), and low pleural fluid glucose concentration are significant predictors of early mortality in MPE patients.
  • Talc pleurodesis is an effective procedure for preventing malignant pleural effusion reaccumulation.

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