Introduction:

The etiology of pleural effusion may vary depending on the geographic location or temporality. In Mexico, the information available regarding pleural effusion derives from third-level reference centers specialized in respiratory diseases. Possibly the results do not reflect the prevalence of this condition in other scenarios, such as, general wards.

Objective:

To determine the etiology, clinical manifestations and differences of the pleural fluid analysis between several etiologies of pleural effusion in a general reference center in the southeast of Mexico.

Material and methods:

An observational, prospective study that includes all consecutive cases with pleural effusion admitted in a period of 3 years. On admission, a diagnostic thoracentesis was performed and detailed clinical history was obtained.

Results:

We included 178 cases that were admitted with pleural effusion. The leading cause was parapneumonic (34%). Among symptoms, dyspnea was the most frequent (91%) and was not different among several pleural effusion etiologies (p = 0.095). Among symptoms, systemic manifestations such as hyporexia, weight loss were more prevalent in malignant pleuraleffusions and tuberculosis; meanwhile, fever, bronchial manifestations (cough, expectoration) and chest pain were more frequent in cases of infectious etiology (parapneumonic and tuberculosis).

Conclusions:

Parapneumonic effusions was the most prevalent cause of pleural effusion in a general reference hospital. Dyspnea was the main symptom among several etiologies without statistical difference. The data contrast with previously published reports, possibly due to differences in the hospital´s care system.