<![CDATA[Pleural effusion is a pathological accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity that may result from various infectious and non-infectious conditions. This study aimed to describe the clinicopathological profile of patients with pleural effusion at Ibnu Sina YW-UMI Hospital, Makassar, during the 2024–2025 period. A descriptive retrospective study based on medical records was conducted using total sampling. A total of 44 medical records of patients who met the study criteria were analyzed based on age, sex, etiology, pleural fluid examination, clinical symptoms, cytological findings, effusion location, and nutritional status. The results showed that most patients were adults (57%) and female (61%). Infectious etiology was the most common group (61%), while non-infectious etiology accounted for 39%. A positive Rivalta test was found in 52% of patients, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels >2/3 of the upper limit of normal serum in 50%, and total protein levels >2500 mg/dL in 55%. Dyspnea was the most frequently reported clinical symptom (61%). Cytological findings were predominantly lymphocytic (43%), followed by inflammatory (32%), malignant (14%), and reactive (11%) findings. Pleural effusion was most frequently located on the right side (41%). Regarding nutritional status, 48% of patients had normal nutritional status, followed by underweight (39%) and overweight (14%). Overall, the clinicopathological profile was predominantly characterized by adult and female patients, infectious etiology, dyspnea, lymphocytic cytological findings, and right-sided pleural effusion]]>
