Factors Related to Primary Bilateral Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Abstract

Objectives: We studied the risk factors associated with primary bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax. Methods: From January 2001 to December 2002, 102 patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax were reviewed and divided into two groups. Group A patients had primary spontaneous bilateral pneumothorax (PSBP; simultaneous or nonsimultaneous). Group B included patients with a primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). We compared age, smoking habits, body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and radiological findings between groups. Results: Twenty-four patients developed PSBP (24 %). The male-to-female ratio was 22 : 2 in group A and 73 : 5 in group B (p = 0.106). Eleven group A patients (46 %) and 34 group B patients (44 %) were smokers (p = 0.037). The mean BMI was 18.39 ± 2.45 kg/m² in group A and 19.70 ± 2.00 kg/m² in group B (p = 0.009). High-resolution computed tomography revealed bilateral lung blebs or bullae in 63 % of group A patients and in 53 % of group B patients (p = 0.724). Conclusion: PSBP was significantly more frequent in patients with a lower BMI and among smokers. These patients require extended hospitalization and vigilant treatment.

Key words

bilateral pneumothorax - spontaneous pneumothorax - risk factors

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1 The first two authors contributed equally to this work.