TY - JOUR T1 - Symptoms, emergency admissions and place of death in patients with pleural malignancy JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 40 IS - Suppl 56 SP - P4630 AU - Fiona Christie AU - Maanasa Polubothu AU - Fiona Thomson AU - Kevin G. Blyth Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P4630.abstract N2 - Pleural malignancy is often associated with a poor prognosis, but qualitative outcomes are rarely published. We describe the journey of these patients, focusing on symptoms, admissions and place of death.MethodsIn August 2011 we reviewed case-notes and electronic records of 157 patients with pleural cytology sent during 2009. In 73 patients diagnosed with pleural malignancy we recorded: performance status (PS), nature of diagnosis (tissue or clinical), pleurodesis, emergency admissions, symptomatic effusion at death and place of death.Results71/73 patients (97%) had died by data collection. Important clinical data included:View this table:The mean (SD) number of admissions and days spent as inpatient were 3 (1.7) and 26 (23), respectively. 21/73 (29%) underwent pleurodesis (13 at VATS), 22/71 (31%) had symptomatic effusion at death, 11/71 (15%) had an intercostal drain inserted in the week preceding death.33/73 (45%) spent >30% of their remaining time in hospital. 49/71 (69%) died in an acute hospital ward, 1/71 (1%) died in a regional oncology centre, 13/71 (18%) died at home and 6/71 (8%) died in a hospice.ConclusionPatients with pleural malignancy spend a significant proportion of their remaining time in hospital. The majority in our audit died in acute hospital units, often with symptomatic pleural effusion. Few died at home or in specialist palliative care facilities. ER -