title: Long-term results of pleurodesis in malignant pleural effusions: Doxycycline vs Bleomycin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to compare the response of doxycycline and bleomycin in pleurodesis of malignant pleural effusions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The radiologic and clinical responses of doxycycline and bleomycin in pleurodesis of malignant pleural effusions were compared in this randomized clinical trial. Forty-two patients were randomized to receive either bleomycin 45 mg or doxycycline 600 mg as the sclerotherapy agent. Chest X-rays were taken before and after intervention, 10 days and 2 months later to compare the radiologic response. Dyspnea and other side effects, before and after intervention, 10 days and 2 months later were recorded and compared. Chi-square test was applied to analyze the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of dyspnea and its different severities, 10 days and 2 months after intervention were significantly different (P < 0.05) between the two groups. Analysis of pleural effusions revealed a significant difference (P < 0.05) between Doxycycline vs. Bleomycin 2 months after the intervention. Three months after pleurodesis, only one patient in bleomycin group needed pleural fluid drainage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pleural effusions did not change with use of doxycycline and bleomycin in short time but long-term results of doxycycline sclerotherapy was better than bleomycin sclerotherapy in malignant pleural effusions that was supported by this study. However, additional studies with larger sample size are necessary to confirm the results.
authors.affiliation: Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Najafabad, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Rahmatollah
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rafiei
authors.affiliation: Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Najafabad, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Behnam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yazdani
authors.affiliation: Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Najafabad, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Sayed Milad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ranjbar
authors.affiliation: Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Najafabad, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Torabi
authors.affiliation: Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Sedigheh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asgary
authors.affiliation: Acquired Immunodeficiency Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Somayeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Najafi
authors.affiliation: Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahtab
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keshvari
keywords: Bleomycin; doxycycline; malignant pleural effusion; sclerotherapy