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Fjaellegaard K, Koefod Petersen J, Alstrup G, Skaarup S, Frost Clementsen P, Laursen CB, Bhatnagar R, Bodtger U. Ultrasound in predicting improvement in dyspnoea after therapeutic thoracentesis in patients with recurrent unilateral pleural effusion. Eur Clin Respir J 2024; 11:2337446. [PMID: 38711600 PMCID: PMC11073413 DOI: 10.1080/20018525.2024.2337446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In patients with recurrent pleural effusion, therapeutic thoracentesis is one way of relief. Correct prediction of which patients will experience relief following drainage may support the management of these patients. This study aimed to assess the association between ultrasound (US) characteristics and a relevant improvement in dyspnoea immediately following drainage. Methods In a prospective, observational study, patients with recurrent unilateral pleural effusion underwent US evaluation of effusion characteristics and diaphragm movement measured by M-mode and the Area method before and right after drainage. The level of dyspnoea was assessed using the modified Borg scale (MBS). A minimal important improvement in dyspnoea was defined as delta MBS ≥ 1. Results In the 104 patients included, 53% had a minimal important improvement in dyspnoea following thoracentesis. We found no association between US-characteristics, including diaphragm shape or movement (M-mode or the Area method), and a decrease in dyspnoea following drainage. Baseline MBS score ≥ 4 and a fully drained effusion were significant correlated with a minimal important improvement in dyspnoea (OR 3.86 (1.42-10.50), p = 0.01 and 2.86 (1.03-7.93), p = 0.04, respectively). Conclusions In our study population, US-characteristics including assessment of diaphragm movement or shape was not associated with a minimal important improvement in dyspnoea immediately following thoracentesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrine Fjaellegaard
- Pulmonary Research Unit Zealand, PLUZ, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde and Næstved, Denmark
- Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Internal Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Jesper Koefod Petersen
- Pulmonary Research Unit Zealand, PLUZ, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde and Næstved, Denmark
- Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Internal Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Gitte Alstrup
- Pulmonary Research Unit Zealand, PLUZ, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde and Næstved, Denmark
- Department of Internal Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Søren Skaarup
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Paul Frost Clementsen
- Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation (CAMES), Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Christian B. Laursen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Odense Respiratory Research Unit (ODIN), Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Rahul Bhatnagar
- Odense Respiratory Research Unit (ODIN), Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Academic Respiratory Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Uffe Bodtger
- Pulmonary Research Unit Zealand, PLUZ, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde and Næstved, Denmark
- Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Internal Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
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