title: Percentage reduction of pleural effusion as a simple predictor of pleural scarring in tuberculous pleuritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the utility of serum and pleural fluid biomarkers for predicting residual pleural scarring (RPS) in tuberculous pleuritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of patients with pleural tuberculosis was performed. Demographic data, clinical parameters, haematological indices, serum and pleural fluid biochemistry and pleural effusion area were assessed for correlation with the extent of RPS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RPS was found in 41.4% of the 70 cases evaluated, with significant pleural scarring being present in 7.1%. It was more common in males (odds ratio 5.55). Among the variables studied, only the percentage reduction of the effusion after 2 weeks of treatment was found to independently predict the extent of RPS (r=-0.502, P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RPS was more common in males and the percentage reduction in pleural effusion on CXR after 2 weeks of treatment was found to be a useful predictor of RPS.
authors.affiliation: Tuberculosis and Chest Unit, Grantham Hospital, Hong Kong, China. wongcf2001@yahoo.com.hk
authors.forename: Chi-Fong
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Simon Kwok-Fai
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Wing-Wai
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Yew
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014396:Tuberculosis, Pleural / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy