Hemoptysis causes, its clinical features, treatment and evaluation of treatment results

AIM: In hemoptysis patients, it is important to determine the cause and location of bleeding and quickly choose the right treatment. Our study aimed to evaluate etiological diagnoses, clinical, radiological findings, location and amount of bleeding, and treatment results of hemoptysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 330 patients over 18 who were diagnosed with hemoptysis and admitted to the emergency department or chest diseases outpatient clinic at Sakarya University Training and Education Hospital between April 2022 and May 2023 were retrospectively examined. RESULTS: Our study included 330 patients, 229 (69.4%) men and 101 (30.6%) women, with an average age of 55.44±16.86. The most common cause of hemoptysis was pneumonia (21.5%), and the second one was malignancy (19.7%). Smoking history was higher in male patients. Malignancy and COPD were more common in male patients, and bronchiectasis was more common in female patients. Radiologically; in thorax CT, the most common detection was bulla-emphysema (20.0%), the second most common was a mass (19.7%). Bulla-emphysema and mass findings were found to be significantly higher in male patients and those with smoking history. In terms of bleeding amount, the most common was 'bleeding mixed with sputum' (57.6%). The most common bronchoscopy finding was endobronchial lesion compatible with malignancy (40.3%). The diagnosis of malignancy was higher in male patients, those with a history of smoking, and those over the age of 45. CONCLUSION: In patients complaining of hemoptysis, a significant contribution was found to smoking history and age in distinguishing between the two most common etiological diagnoses. The high rate of malignancy in thorax CT, etiology, and bronchoscopy findings indicate that smoking is an important factor in hemoptysis. It is recommended that older patients and smokers be first investigated for malignancy.