Clinical characteristics and outcomes of empyema thoracis amongst patients with diabetes mellitus

<bold>Abstract Title:</bold> Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Empyema Thoracis amongst Patients with Diabetes Mellitus <bold>Rationale:</bold> Patient with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at greater risks of severe pulmonary infections. We assessed the clinical characteristics and outcome of empyema thoracis patients with coexisting DM. <bold>Methods:</bold> Between 2008 and 2016, those diagnosed of empyema thoracis were included. We assessed important clinical characteristics and outcomes of empyema thoracis in DM and non-DM patients. Demographics including age, sex, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels were compared. Other co-existing comorbidities were analytically described. Mechanical ventilation, surgical interventions, length of stays, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, survival and mortality were investigated. <bold>Results:</bold> The prevalence of DM amongst all empyema thoracis patients was 25.9% in our study cohort. The majority of empyema thoracis patients were males, (60.7%. vs. 39.3%, p = 0.0077). Average HbA1C in DM group was significantly higher compare to the non-DM, (7.7 ± 2.1 vs 6.5 ± 1.5, p < 0.0001). DM group shown a trend toward longer length of stay in the hospital and ICU although without statistical significance. The need for mechanical ventilation and video assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS) decortication shown no differences between groups. There were significantly greater numbers of other existing comorbidities in DM group. Empyema thoracis in DM group showed significantly higher mortality comparing to non-DM group, (31.1% vs 24.6%, p < 0.018). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> DM impacts on the survival of patients diagnosed with empyema thoracis.