Pleurisy Market Size, Share, and Trends 2026 to 2035

Pleurisy Market Size and Growth 2026 to 2035

The global pleurisy market size was valued at USD 0.64 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 0.69 billion in 2026 to USD 1.28 billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 7.13% from 2026 to 2035. North America dominated the market, accounting for a revenue share of 35.0% in 2025.

Key Takeaway:

• By type, the acute pleurisy segment dominated the market with the largest share in 2025.
• By type, the chronic pleurisy segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period.
• By diagnostic method, the physical examination segment dominated the market with the largest share in 2025.
• By end user, the hospitals segment dominated the market with the largest share of 55.0% in 2025.
• By region, North America dominated the market with the largest share of 35.0% in 2025.

Pleurisy Market Overview

The global pleurisy market covers the diagnosis, treatment, and management of pleural inflammation and its underlying causes. Because pleurisy can result from infections, autoimmune disorders, pulmonary embolism, cancer, trauma, and other conditions, the market spans pharmaceuticals, diagnostic imaging, laboratory testing, and pleural procedures rather than a single treatment category.

Key market activity includes anti-inflammatory medicines, antibiotics, corticosteroids, chest X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound, blood and pleural-fluid testing, thoracentesis, thoracoscopy, and pleural drainage systems. Demand varies according to disease severity, with uncomplicated cases requiring limited symptomatic care while complex cases may involve hospitalization, advanced diagnostics, specialist treatment, and long-term monitoring.

The market is also increasingly connected to the broader pleural-disease ecosystem, including recurrent pleural effusion, empyema, and malignant pleural disease. Technologies such as long-term drainage systems can support outpatient management for selected patients with recurrent effusions.

Growing emphasis on early diagnosis, minimally invasive procedures, AI-enabled imaging, and home-based care is creating opportunities across pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic, imaging, and digital healthcare companies. Overall, market growth is closely linked to faster identification of underlying causes and more efficient management across the pleural-care continuum.

Market Outlook

• Market Growth Overview: The global pleurisy market is expected to grow significantly between 2025 and 2035, driven by the ongoing innovations in diagnostic techniques.
• Sustainability Trends: Sustainability trends involve an ongoing transition towards eco-friendly pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Major Investors: Major investors in the market include Pfizer Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK), Novartis International AG, Sanofi S.A., AstraZeneca plc, Merck & Co., Inc., and Boehringer Ingelheim.

How is AI Impacting The Global Pleurisy Market?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the market by propelling early diagnosis via innovative chest imaging, minimizing human error in pleural fluid cytology, and allowing individualized treatment plans. Furthermore, artificial intelligence models examine high-resolution ultrasound, computed tomography scans, and magnetic resonance imaging to detect subtle indicators of pleural inflammation.

The technology is also advancing quantitative assessment and monitoring. AI can support pleural-fluid volume estimation, automate measurements, prioritize abnormal scans, and compare serial images, which may be valuable for patients with recurrent pleural disease.

Healthcare companies are integrating AI into radiology workflows through automated chest-X-ray analysis, positioning assistance, and CT decision-support solutions. These applications can improve workflow efficiency while helping radiologists focus on complex cases.

Overall, AI is creating opportunities across medical imaging, radiology software, clinical decision support, and patient monitoring. As adoption expands, AI could contribute to earlier detection, faster clinical assessment, and more efficient management of pleural conditions.

Pleurisy Market Report Scope

Market Driver: Rising Burden of Underlying Diseases

The growing prevalence of infections, autoimmune disorders, pulmonary embolism, tuberculosis, lung cancer, and other conditions that can cause pleuritic symptoms is driving demand for pleural evaluation. Patients may require imaging, laboratory testing, fluid analysis, and specialized procedures depending on the underlying cause, expanding opportunities across diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.

Market Restraint: Lack of a Single Disease-Specific Treatment Pathway

Pleurisy has diverse causes, so treatment varies from symptomatic care and antibiotics to anti-inflammatory therapies, drainage, or treatment of serious underlying diseases. This clinical heterogeneity makes it difficult to develop a single standardized therapeutic pathway and can create challenges for clinical trials, commercialization, and market expansion. Some uncomplicated cases may also resolve with limited intervention.

Market Opportunity: Expansion of Home-Based and Digital Pleural Care

The shift toward outpatient and home-based healthcare is creating new opportunities in pleural disease management. Long-term pleural drainage systems, remote monitoring, digital patient records, and connected applications can support selected patients with recurrent pleural effusions while reducing the need for repeated hospital visits. Integration of medical devices with digital monitoring, patient education, and specialized pleural-care services could create new value across the healthcare ecosystem.

Segmental Insights

By Type

Why did the acute pleurisy segment dominate the global pleurisy market?

The acute pleurisy segment dominated the market with the largest share in 2025. The dominance of the segment can be attributed to its increasing incidence and rising clinical importance. In addition, the rapid implementation of point-of-care ultrasound, mobile computed tomography systems, and artificial intelligence-driven diagnostics facilitates extensive clinical decision-making within emergency and primary care environments.

How did the chronic pleurisy segment expected to hold the significantly growing global pleurisy market in the coming years?

The chronic pleurisy segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The growth of the segment can be credited to the growing rates of pulmonary conditions and the surge in adoption of cutting-edge diagnostic imaging techniques. Also, older adults face an increased prevalence of systemic and degenerative conditions, which increases their vulnerability to chronic and recurrent pleural disorders.

By Diagnosis Method

Why did the physical examination segment dominate the global pleurisy market?

The physical examination segment dominated the market with the largest share in 2025. The dominance of the segment can be linked to the growing geriatric populations, surge in respiratory infections, and use of better diagnostic tools. Medical guidelines mandate that advanced imaging (such as CT scans and ultrasounds) or invasive clinical procedures (such as thoracentesis) must not be performed prior to the completion of an initial physical assessment.

How did the imaging tests segment expected to hold the significantly growing global pleurisy market in the coming years?

The imaging tests segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The growth of the segment can be driven by increasing respiratory infections and ongoing technological advancements such as CT and ultrasound scans. An increasing incidence of pneumonia, tuberculosis, and pulmonary infections grows the clinical imperative for comprehensive pleural assessment.

By End User

Why did the hospital segment dominate the global pleurisy market?

The hospital segment dominated the market with the largest share in 2025. The dominance of the segment is owing to the growing availability of specialized multidisciplinary pulmonary care teams and the use of innovative surgical interventions. Furthermore, as the global population ages, there is a rising prevalence of severe, chronic, and recurrent pleural complications that need prolonged hospital admissions.

• In October 2025, the Promomed Group has officially introduced Ambervin Pulmo, a first-in-class innovative therapeutic agent designed for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, to the Russian Federation pharmaceutical market. Officially presented at the BioPharm Forum in Gelendzhik, the medication features a novel active formulation.

How did the clinics segment expected to hold the significantly growing global pleurisy market in the coming years? 

The clinics segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The growth of the segment is due to the growing transition towards outpatient care and increasing respiratory infection prevalence across the globe. Moreover, remote monitoring and virtual follow-ups optimize clinical workflow and improve patient adherence in chronic respiratory care.

By Region

Why did the North American region account for the largest share of the global pleurisy market?

North America dominated the market with the largest share in 2025. The dominance of the region can be attributed to the extensive adoption of early detection protocols and the surge in research and development investments in major countries. In addition, advanced medical facilities and specialized diagnostic laboratories facilitate the rapid and precise assessment of cardiac and pulmonary conditions.

U.S. Global Pleurisy Market Trends

The growth of the market in the country can be driven by the strong presence of advanced healthcare infrastructure and extensive R&D investments in respiratory care. Also, comprehensive health insurance policies providing financial support for advanced therapeutic interventions and outpatient care management can fuel market growth further.

Why did the Asia-Pacific region become the fastest-growing global pleurisy market during the forecast period?

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The growth of the region can be credited to the increasing air pollution and growing incidence of underlying infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia in emerging economies such as China and India. Furthermore, local manufacturing capacities for generic pharmaceuticals and cost-effective diagnostic kits enhance the accessibility of medical interventions in semi-urban and rural regions.

China Global Pleurisy Market Trends

The market in the country is growing due to the ongoing healthcare infrastructure modernization and surge in government health investments in major cities. Moreover, the expansion of hospital infrastructure and the enhanced accessibility of affordable domestic therapeutics have significantly improved patient access to medical treatment.

Key Players in the Global Pleurisy Market

• Pfizer: A leading global biopharmaceutical company providing anti-infective and anti-inflammatory therapies crucial for managing bacterial and infectious triggers of pleurisy.
• AstraZeneca: It focuses on respiratory care and advanced biologic solutions targeting deep-seated underlying inflammatory pathways.
• GlaxoSmithKline (GSK): It offers a broad array of respiratory medications and inhalers aimed at long-term management of airway and pleural inflammation.

Recent Developments

• In March 2026, MSD Korea introduced Capvaxive, a specialized 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine explicitly engineered for adult immunization. Following authorization by the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The formulation is indicated for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia.

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2035. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has pleurisy market.

By Type

• Acute Pleurisy
• Chronic Pleurisy
• Recurrent Pleurisy

By Diagnosis Method

• Physical Examination
• Imaging Tests
• Laboratory Tests

By End User

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Home Care

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)