Characterization of pleural effusion in the Internal Medicine Department

Abstract

A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in order to describe the clinical and epidemiological aspects of pleural effusion in patients seen in the Internal Medicine Department of the Arnaldo Milian Castro Provincial University Hospital in 2010. The universe was composed of 62 patients and the sample of 55 patients, as convenience sampling. The analysis of clinical histories was the key source of data. The clinical and epidemiological variables were defined, as well as the personal background, the etiological factors and therapeutics used. Percentage analysis and Chi square were used. White women predominated, aged 60-69 years, with smoking habit. Dyspnea and pain in the tip of the side were common symptoms. The right chest was the most affected. Small effusions were more frequent; pneumonia caused a greater number of effusions. The X-rays was the most common complementary test indicated at the time of admission. In the ward, after being admitted, the most commonly indicated test were complete blood count and glycemia. Third-generation cephalosporins were prescribed more frequently.

Keywords

• derrame pleural
• diagnostico clínico
• factores epidemiológicos