In a region with a high incidence of tuberculosis, the most frequent cause of pleural exudates was tuberculosis (44.1%), followed by malignancy (29.6%).
Observational (n=186)
No
In a region with high tuberculosis incidence, TB is the leading cause of exudative pleural effusions, followed by malignancy.
OBJECTIVE: To define the causes of exudative pleural effusions in our region. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study was performed on consecutive patients with exudative pleural effusion seen in our hospital during a 4-year period. RESULTS: Of 186 patients with a mean age (+/- SD) of 51.2 (+/- 19.2) years with exudative pleural effusions, 131 (70.4%) were males and 55 (29.6%) were females. The most frequent cause of exudative pleural effusions was tuberculosis (44.1%), followed by malignancy (29.6%). The majority (94.5%) of malignant pleural effusions were due to lung cancer. Apart from a patient with bilateral pleural effusions due to cryptococcosis, patients with tuberculous pleural effusion (mean age (+/- SD), 39.7 (+/- 17.5)) were significantly younger than the rest (P < 0.05). Tuberculous effusions were most frequent in the first five decades (60/82, 73.2%) and were the most common type of pleural effusion, accounting for 60 (69.8%) of 86 cases, in this age range. Malignant effusions were more frequent among the older age groups, 74.5% (41/55) of patients with malignant effusions being older than 50 years. Most types of pleural effusions showed a preference for the right side. Of the 44 cases of large effusions, 28 (63.6%) were caused by malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: In our region with a high incidence of tuberculosis, the most frequent cause of pleural exudates is tuberculosis followed by malignancy, particularly lung cancer.
Liam et al. (2000) conducted an observational in Exudative pleural effusions (n=186). In a region with a high incidence of tuberculosis, the most frequent cause of pleural exudates was tuberculosis (44.1%), followed by malignancy (29.6%).