STUDY OF ETIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL PROFILE OF PLEURAL EFFUSION IN A TERITARY CARE HOSPITAL - A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS.

Pleural effusion can cause significant symptoms and diminished quality of life, but more importantly, is associated with increased risk of respiratory failure and mortality. This hospital based study was carried out on 546 patients to find the etiological profile and clinical presentation of patients with pleural effusion in Jammu region of J&K. Results of this study revealed that Tubercular effusion, par pneumonic effusion, malignant effusion, Congestive cardiac failure, Liver disease, Renal disease are major important disease factors with various presenting feature of patients with pleural effusion, mainly shortness of breath, fever, cough, chest pain, oedema, haemoptysis and weight loss. This study would help in early diagnosis and possible intervention and prompt treatment of patients with pleural effusion.