Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 8, 2025

A Retrospective Study on Endoscopic Surgery for the Treatment of Paravertebral Abscess in Spinal Tuberculosis Patients
03:47

A Retrospective Study on Endoscopic Surgery for the Treatment of Paravertebral Abscess in Spinal Tuberculosis Patients

Published on: October 25, 2024

466

The Association Between Pleural Empyema and Peripheral Arterial Disease in Younger Patients: A Retrospective National

Tzu-Yuan Wang1,2, Hsin-Hung Chen3,4,5, Chun-Hung Su6,7

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.

Frontiers in Medicine
|April 19, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Patients with pleural empyema (PE) face a higher risk of developing peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This risk is particularly elevated in younger individuals (under 49) and within two years of their PE diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pulmonology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Pleural empyema (PE) is a serious thoracic infection.
  • Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a significant vascular condition.
  • The association between PE and PAD risk requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between pleural empyema and the subsequent risk of developing peripheral arterial disease.
  • To identify specific patient subgroups with a heightened risk of PAD following PE.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study utilizing the National Health Institute Research Database.
  • Analysis of univariable and multivariable Cox's proportional hazard regressions.
  • Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests for survival analysis.

Main Results:

  • The incidence of PAD was higher in the PE cohort (2.76 per 1,000 person-years) versus the non-PE cohort (1.72 per 1,000 person-years).
  • Patients with PE showed an increased risk of PAD (adjusted HR = 1.18).
  • Significantly higher PAD risk was observed in PE patients aged ≤ 49 years (aHR = 5.34) and within 2 years post-PE diagnosis (aHR = 1.35).

Conclusions:

  • Pleural empyema is associated with an elevated risk of peripheral arterial disease.
  • Younger patients (≤ 49 years) with PE face a substantially higher risk of PAD.
  • The risk of PAD is notably increased within the first two years following a PE diagnosis.

Keywords:
Cox regression hazard modelNHIRDNational Health Insurance Research Databaseperipheral arterial diseasepleural empyemaretrospective cohort study

More Related Videos

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion03:22

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion

Published on: November 10, 2023

1.1K
Author Spotlight: A Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery with Multimodal Analgesia and Sevoflurane Inhalation Anesthesia05:39

Author Spotlight: A Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery with Multimodal Analgesia and Sevoflurane Inhalation Anesthesia

Published on: May 26, 2023

1.9K

Related Concept Videos

Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly results from atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the walls of arteries. This causes them to narrow and harden, significantly reducing blood flow. PAD predominantly affects the legs, particularly the arteries supplying the thighs and calves. In rare cases, it may involve other arteries, including those in the arms.Etiology of PAD:The principal cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which results from fatty...
136
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
557
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
463
Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management01:28

Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management

Pleural Effusion Overview
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:
363
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
124
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:29

Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...
96