Study of the Feasibility and Efficacy of PrednisonE for Non-specifiC pleuriTis

Launched by ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · Jun 18, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether a medicine called corticosteroids (specifically prednisone) can help prevent fluid from building up again in the space around the lungs in people with a condition called non-specific pleuritis. Non-specific pleuritis means there is inflammation in the lining around the lungs without a clear cause, and it can lead to repeated fluid buildup, which may cause discomfort and sometimes needs extra procedures to remove the fluid. Currently, there is no standard treatment to stop this fluid from coming back, so this study wants to find out if prednisone can help reduce these recurrences or if it might cause side effects.

Adults between 65 and 74 years old diagnosed with non-specific pleuritis through a biopsy and who do not have certain autoimmune diseases (checked by blood tests) may be eligible to join. People with other types of pleuritis, infections, or those already taking steroids or similar medicines cannot participate. If you join, you will be part of one of two groups: one will receive prednisone as part of their care, and the other will not. The study lasts about six months, with visits every two weeks at first, then monthly, plus some phone check-ins. During this time, doctors will watch for fluid buildup, the need for extra treatments, and any side effects from the medication. This is a small, early study aimed at seeing if this approach is safe and helpful before larger studies are done.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • All adult patients with diagnosis of non-specific pleuritis as determined by pleural biopsy with a negative serologic autoimmune profile (ANA, ANCA, anti-DS DNA, anti-SS A/B, anti-centromere, RF, anti-CCP) are eligible
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Chronic/fibrinous pleuritis
• • Positive autoimmune serologic workup
• • A contraindication to corticosteroids
• • Empyema
• • Patients already receiving corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications for any other indication
• • Inability to obtain informed consent due to cognitive, neurologic or psychiatric impairment