[Residual pleural opacity in patients treated for pleural tuberculosis in Yaounde]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of residual pleural opacity (RPO) at the end and after 6 months (M12) of antituberculosis treatment (ATT) in adults with pleural tuberculosis.

In this prospective cohort study, all patients admitted for pleural tuberculosis between September 2010 and August 2012 in the pneumology A unit of Yaounde Jamot Hospital were included. Each patient was then followed up for 12 months. RPO was considered significant if it was measured 10mm or more on standard chest X-ray. The logistic regression model was used to investigate the risk factors of significant RPO at the end of antituberculosis treatment.

Of the 193 patients included, median (interquartile range) age of 33 (25-42) years, 115 (59.6%) were men. The incidence (95% CI) of significant RPO was 22.0% (14.9-29.1) and 11.0% (4.9-17.1) at the end of ATT and at M12 respectively. In multivariate analysis, the risk factors of the occurrence of a significant RPO at the end of ATT and at M12 were smoking, associated parenchymal lesions, and hypoglycopleuria.

Cumulative incidence of RPO ≥ 10 mm was 22% at the end of ATT and 11% after 12 months from the beginning of treatment. Patients with risk factors of RPO ≥ 10 mm should benefit from greater surveillance and appropriate management.