Prognostic factors associated to survival in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) undergoing talc poudrage pleurodesis (TPP)

Introduction: - Chemical pleurodesis is a therapeutic option for symptomatic patients with MPE and a life expectancy > 2-3 months. Contradictory data exists about prognostic factors associated with survival in these patients. Aim: - To analyze the variables associated with survival in patients with MPE undergoing TPP. Population and methods: - Prospective and multicenter (11 hospitals in Spain) study of patients with MPE undergoing TPP. Inclusion criteria: > 18 years old, pleural effusion (PE) that required drainage and pleurodesis because of dyspnea, pleural malignancy proved by cytology and/or histology and signed informed consent. Survival was considered since the date of pleurodesis until death or the date of last visit. Variables studied: Age, gender, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), mesothelioma as primary tumor, high risk-non high risk tumor 1 , hematic PE, pleural pH and glucose level. Kaplan-Meier curves (KMC) and log-rank were used to analyze survival. Results: - 324 cases were included. The median survival time was 9.2 months. The KMC of variables that showed statistical difference are shown in Figure 1. Conclusion: - The KPS ≥ 80, pleural pH ≥ 7.20 and pleural glucose level > 60 mg/dl were factors associated with better survival. 1. Heffner J, et al. Pleural fluid pH as a predictor of survival for patients with malignant pleural effusions. Chest. 2000; 117: 79-86.