Systemic Inflammatory Response to Different Sclerosing Agents as a Predictor of Pleurodesis Outcome.

Background/aim The objectives of this study were to evaluate systemic inflammation using different sclerosing agents and to estimate the prediction of systemic inflammation for the efficacy of pleurodesis. Patients and methods Ninety-six patients with recurrent and symptomatic malignant pleural effusion were enrolled in this retrospective study. We used serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, serum leukocyte counts and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLRs) as parameters of systemic inflammatory reactions. Evaluations of these parameters were performed before and 24 h after pleurodesis. Results Pleurodesis was successful in 81 (84.4%) patients. The non-graded talc induced the highest changes in serum CRP levels, total white blood cell and neutrophil counts compared to other agents, while mitoxantrone induced the lowest. Graded talc and bleomycin induced the same levels of changes in serum CRP levels and serum leukocyte counts. The change in serum NLR was the same for all agent groups. Logistic regression confirmed that a change in serum CRP levels [odds ratio (OR)=0.92, p=0.002] and previous chemotherapy (OR=3.31, p=0.012) were independent predictors of pleurodesis efficacy. Conclusion Pleurodesis agents induced a systemic inflammatory response at different levels. The change in serum CRP levels could be useful for predicting the success of pleurodesis.