The Pleural Infection Longitudinal Outcome Study (PILOT)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Pleural Infection Longitudinal Outcome Study (PILOT)
IRAS ID
119731
Contact name
Najib Rahman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust
Research summary
Pleural infection (sometimes described as “empyema” or “complicated parapneumonic effusion”) is a potentially serious infection of the fluid normally found around the lung (pleural fluid). The number of cases of pleural infection is rising worldwide without clear cause or explanation, presenting doctors and patients with greater challenges. Pleural infection is usually treated with antibiotics to kill the bacteria responsible, and drainage of the infected fluid from around the lung using either a plastic tube (chest drain) or, in selected cases, surgery to the chest. However, doctors have no proven method to tell which patients are more likely to suffer complications as a result of their pleural infection. Previous studies have failed to identify a means by which patients with pleural infection can be divided into different groups to help guide their treatment. This uncertainty has significant consequences as doctors cannot tell which patients will benefit most from different treatment options - therefore, some patients may receive treatment they don’t need whilst others may miss out on treatment that will be of longer-term benefit.
PILOT is a multicentre, multinational observational study sponsored by the Medical Research Council, UK. The study is designed to collect clinical and biological data - for example, the results of blood and pleural fluid tests, and physical observations such as blood pressure - in patients with pleural infection. Study participants will be treated according to best clinical practice based on national guidelines adapted to take usual standards of care in their local hospital into account. It is hoped by analysing the data collected a diagnostic tool (or prediction score) can be developed that will identify which patients with pleural infection are at higher or lower risk of complications. This will help doctors in the future make the right choices for their patients from the start of treatment.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/SC/0204
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jul 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion