Related Experiment Videos
Benign pleural effusions in long-standing diabetes mellitus
B S Chertow1, R Kadzielawa, A J Burger
1Section of Endocrinology, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Huntington, WV 25705.
Chest
|May 1, 1991
Summary
Diabetic patients have a higher incidence of pleural effusions, which may be linked to left ventricular dysfunction. These effusions can be persistent and reaccumulate, even with treatment for congestive heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Pleural effusions can be challenging to manage, particularly in patients with underlying chronic conditions.
- The relationship between diabetes mellitus, left ventricular dysfunction, and pleural effusions requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if diabetic patients have a higher frequency of pleural effusions.
- To explore the association between pleural effusions and left ventricular dysfunction in diabetic patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 45 patients with intractable pleural effusions.
- Comparison of effusion incidence between diabetic and nondiabetic patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
Main Results:
- Diabetic patients exhibited an 83% incidence of pleural effusions compared to 14% in nondiabetic patients (p < 0.001).
- Pleural effusions were observed even in the absence of congestive heart failure (CHF) and could reaccumulate post-thoracentesis.
Conclusions:
- Pleural effusions are significantly more common in diabetic patients.
- Left ventricular dysfunction may contribute to increased pleural effusion formation in diabetic individuals.