TITLE:
Aetiology and Demographic Attributes of Common Pleural Collections in an African Population
AUTHORS:
Ezekiel O. Ogunleye, Martins O. Thomas, Olugbenga O. Olusoji
KEYWORDS:
Pleural; Effusion/Collection; Africa
JOURNAL NAME:
Surgical Science,
Vol.4 No.7,
July
4,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Background: Fluids collect in the pleural
space under different conditions and they are of different types. Detailed
study of demographic attributes and aetiology of pleural collections has not
been well reported in Africa. Aims and Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the demographic attributes and
aetiology of common pleural space fluid collections. Methods: The
sample population consisted of referrals received via clinics, admission
through the emergency centre and wards. We noted their biodata, hospital
identification numbers, ages and gender and other relevant parameters. Data
analysis was done with special interest in gender-based diseases like ovarian
carcinoma prostatic carcinoma and the like. Results: There were 372 patients over a 55-month period. The M:F ratio was 1:1
approximately. The combined mean age was 37.8 ± 0.92 years at 95%
confidence interval. Their distribution was negatively skewed and it was
leptokurtic. The age bracket of 20 - 49 had 65.6% of cases. There was gender based
disparity in ages. Discussion: Malignant effusions constituted
majority of sample size and the right side was consistently affected more often
than the left side. Conclusion: Advanced malignancies are the
commonest causes of pleural effusion. There is ongoing epidemiologic transition
of diseases as the burden of non-communicable diseases is now juxtaposed with
that of communicable diseases in Africa.