Current situation and management of pleural effusion in PHI Clinical Hospital Tetovo

Introduction: Pleural effusion is a disturbance in the balance between fluid production and elimination in the pleural space, resulting
in abnormal fluid accumulation. It can result from various medical conditions related to the lungs and pleura or systemic diseases.
Identifying the etiology of pleural effusion is essential for effective treatment. According to Light’s criteria, pleural effusions are
transudative and exudative.
Material and Methods: For this research, we collected data from the existing documentation in the Department of Pulmonology
and Respiratory Allergology at PHI Clinical Hospital Tetovo from June 2022 to June 2023. This study included 133 patients with
dyspnea, persistent chest pain, fatigue, hemoptysis, cough, a history of past illnesses, and other comorbid conditions. The data
collection process was rigorous, and we followed ethical guidelines to ensure the reliability of our findings.
Results: The patients included in our study were between 36 to 84 years old. Of them, 72,9% were males, and 27,1% were females.
85,7% were smokers, and 14,3% were non-smokers. 75,0% of patients complained of dyspnea, and 24,8% had hemoptysis. From
the ultrasonography findings, 15,0% had an alteration in the left lung, 11,3% in the right lung, 20,3% of patients were punctuated
to the left side, and 24,8% were punctuated to the right lung. In comparison, 1,5% were punctuated to both sides. In 2,3% of the
subjects, computed tomography described an effusion in the left lung.
Conclusion: The results suggest that pleural effusion is associated with various diseases, especially heart failure and malignant
diseases. Our study underscores the importance of early detection of the cause of pleural effusion and the underlying disease for
successfully managing and treating the disease. The insights from our research can guide healthcare professionals in developing
effective treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes.