[The relationship between the occurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax and atmospheric pressure].

INTRODUCTION

This study analyzes the relationship between the occurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax and atmospheric pressure.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study on 74 patients hospitalized for spontaneous pneumothorax in the department of respiratory diseases from the Ibn Roshd university hospital of Casablanca between January 2013 and June 2014. The value of atmospheric pressure at the time of the occurrence of pneumothorax was recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean age was 46 years with 70 men and 4 women. Eighty-one percent of patients were smokers and 89% lived in an urban zone. Overall, 79.7% of pneumothoraces occurred in anticyclonic conditions, with a median atmospheric pressure of 1018 hPa±4.18. In all, 12.2% of pneumothoraces occurred in atmospheric depression with a median atmospheric pressure of 1010 hPa±1.92. The remaining 8.1% occurred in isobaric conditions. Pneumothoraces occurred significantly more during periods of high pressure compared to other periods (P<0.001; odds ratio: 28.41; relative risk 6.56 [3.52<RR<12.22]). There was no difference in the age, number pf patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or idiopathic pneumothorax between the atmospheric condition groups.

CONCLUSION

Increased atmospheric pressure is a risk factor for spontaneous pneumothorax independent of age or the presence of underlying lung disease.