CompletedNot Applicable

Thoracentesis: Symptoms and Prediction of the Need for Therapeutic Thoracentesis

Denmark107 participantsStarted 2020-01-13

Plain-language summary

Recurrent fluid surrounding the lungs is associated with poor quality of life, the main symptom being dyspnea. These patients are in need of recurrent removal of the fluid using drainage. The mechanism causing dyspnea is not fully understood. By using ultrasound to evaluate the movement of the diaphragm before and after removal of fluid and the patients symptoms before removal of fluid and until next removal the research group aims to clarify the temporal development in symptoms and the role of the diaphragm. The researchers will also evaluate the ability of the pulmonologist and patient to predict when the patient will need the next removal of fluid in patients with recurrent unilateral pleural effusion.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years. * Unilateral pleural effusion. * A minimum of two thoracentesis prior to inclusion. * Patients must be able to give informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Bilateral pleural effusions. * Inability to understand written or spoken Danish.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Difference between time to next thoracentesis scheduled by the pulmonologist and patient respectively versus time to patient-reported need for thoracentesis

Timeframe: At the day of the next thoracentesis or 2 months after the first study-thoracentesis, whichever comes first.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04236934

SponsorNaestved Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2021-12-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Pleural Effusion trials