Quality of life in patients with malignant pleural effusion treated with an indwelling pleural catheter in an emerging country.

BACKGROUND: The use of Indwelling Pleural Catheter (IPC) in the care of patients with Malignant Pleural Effusion (MPE) is well established, however studies involving public health systems of low and middle-income countries are still lacking. This study aimed to determine the effect of IPC on the respiratory symptoms and Quality of Life (QoL) of patients with MPE in the setting of a Brazilian public health system. METHODS: From August 2015 to November 2019, patients with MPE underwent IPC placement and were prospectively followed. QoL and respiratory symptoms were assessed by the EORTC questionnaires (QLQ-30; LC13) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), respectively, at pre-treatment, 30 , and 60 days after IPC placement. RESULTS: 56 patients were enrolled with 57 catheters inserted. The mean age was 63 (23‒88) years, of which 17 (30%) were men and 39 (70%) were women. Breast 24 (42%) and lung 21 (37%) were the main primary neoplasms. Cellulitis was the most common complication and all patients recovered with appropriate antimicrobial therapy. QoL did not change significantly over time, however, the VAS showed a significant improvement in dyspnea (+1.2: -0.5; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: IPC relieves respiratory symptoms without compromising the QoL, with a low complication rate. It represents a suitable option for patients with MPE and short LE in an emerging country.

Quality of life in patients with malignant pleural effusion treated with an indwelling pleural catheter in an emerging country

Abstract Background: The use of Indwelling Pleural Catheter (IPC) in the care of patients with Malignant Pleural Effusion (MPE) is well established, however studies involving public health systems of low and middle-income countries are still lacking. This study aimed to determine the effect of IPC on the respiratory symptoms and Quality of Life (QoL) of patients with MPE in the setting of a Brazilian public health system. Methods: From August 2015 to November 2019, patients with MPE underwent IPC placement and were prospectively followed. QoL and respiratory symptoms were assessed by the EORTC questionnaires (QLQ-30; LC13) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), respectively, at pre-treatment, 30 , and 60 days after IPC placement. Results: 56 patients were enrolled with 57 catheters inserted. The mean age was 63 (23‒88) years, of which 17 (30%) were men and 39 (70%) were women. Breast 24 (42%) and lung 21 (37%) were the main primary neoplasms. Cellulitis was the most common complication and all patients recovered with appropriate antimicrobial therapy. QoL did not change significantly over time, however, the VAS showed a significant improvement in dyspnea (+1.2: -0.5; p = 0.001). Conclusion: IPC relieves respiratory symptoms without compromising the QoL, with a low complication rate. It represents a suitable option for patients with MPE and short LE in an emerging country. HIGHLIGHTS Indwelling pleural catheter represents a suitable option for patients with malignant pleural effusion and short life expectancy. It relieves respiratory symptoms without compromising the quality of life, and the complication rate is low, even in an emerging country, with a low socioeconomic and under-educated patient population. The rate of spontaneous pleurodesis was 45%. The analysis of the visual analog scale showed significant control of dyspnea (p = 0.001), but pain and quality of life did not change significantly.

Preoperative evaluation for lung resection in patients with bronchiectasis: should we rely on standard lung function evaluation?

OBJECTIVES: The scant data about non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, including tuberculosis sequelae and impairment of lung function, can bias the preoperative physiological assessment. Our goal was to evaluate the changes in lung function and exercise capacity following pulmonary resection in these patients; we also looked for outcome predictors. METHODS: We performed a non-randomized prospective study evaluating lung function changes in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis treated with pulmonary resection. Patients performed lung function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise tests preoperatively and 3 and 9 months after the operation. Demographic data, comorbidities, surgical data and complications were collected. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were evaluated for lung function. After resection, the patients had slightly lower values for spirometry: forced expiratory volume in 1 s preoperatively: 2.21 l ± 0.8; at 3 months: 1.9 l ± 0.8 and at 9 months: 2.0 l ± 0.8, but the relationship between the forced expiratory volume in 1 s and the forced vital capacity remained. The gas diffusion measured by diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide did not change: preoperative value: 23.2 ml/min/mmHg ± 7.4; at 3 months: 21.5 ml/min/mmHg ± 5.6; and at 9 months: 21.7 ml/min/mmHg ± 8.2. The performance of general exercise did not change; peak oxygen consumption preoperatively was 20.9 ml/kg/min ± 7.4; at 3 months: 19.3 ml/kg/min ± 6.4; and at 9 months: 20.2 ml/kg/min ± 8.0. Forty-six patients were included for analysis of complications. We had 13 complications with 2 deaths. To test the capacity of the predicted postoperative (PPO) values to forecast complications, we performed several multivariate and univariate analyses; none of them was a significant predictor of complications. When we analysed other variables, only bronchoalveolar lavage with positive culture was significant for postoperative complications (P = 0.0023). Patients who had a pneumonectomy had a longer stay in the intensive care unit (P = 0.0348). CONCLUSIONS: The calculated PPO forced expiratory volume in 1 s had an excellent correlation with the measurements at 3 and 9 months; but the calculated PPO capacity for carbon monoxide and the PPO peak oxygen consumption slightly underestimated the 3- and 9-month values. However, none of them was a predictor for complications. Better tools to predict postoperative complications for patients with bronchiectasis who are candidates for lung resection are needed. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01268475.

Influence of the progression of pleural neoplasia on the outcome of pleurodesis in mice.

PURPOSE: Experimental study aimed at evaluating whether pleural neoplastic disease is associated with the degree of pleural fibrosis over time caused by talc pleurodesis. The study describes changes in levels of inflammatory mediators and determines whether the course of time involved in progression of neoplastic pleural disease is the factor that influences safety of talc pleurodesis usage in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals were randomized into two groups: Cancer group (CG) that received intrapleural injection of Lewis cells or Saline group (SG) that received saline injection. After, the animals were subdivided into Early (pleurodesis 3 days after pleural injection) and Late (pleurodesis 7 days after pleural injection) groups. Half of the animals in each group were euthanized 24 hours after pleurodesis (to obtain the inflammatory data); the remaining animals were killed after 8 days (to obtain the scores of pleural fibrosis). RESULTS: CGs had lower fibrosis scores than SGs comparing early phases to late phases. Inflammation scores were lower in CGs, particularly in Late group. In SGs the inflammation was intense in 100% of the animals. In Late CG group pleural adhesions had the lowest scores; we found intense fibrosis only in SGs. VEGF and LDH levels had increased in animals with cancer, particularly in Late group. Systemic distribution of talc occurred only in Late CG. CONCLUSIONS: The time for pleural neoplasia to evolve is inversely proportional to the degree of pleural fibrosis. Earlier pleurodesis yielded the best results related to fibrosis, with less systemic inflammation and is safer in mice.