The role of meteorological conditions on the development of spontaneous pneumothorax.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between weather conditions and pneumothorax episodes in the patients with spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) admitted to our hospitals.

METHODS

One hundred and seventy-five patients diagnosed with SP and admitted to two hospitals in our area between January 2004 and January 2007 were included in this study. Data comparison was made between the days with and without pneumothorax.

RESULTS

159 of the patients (91 %) were male and 16 (9 %) were female. During the study a total of 202 SP episodes were observed. Pneumothorax episodes were observed mostly in autumn and in June and November out of all twelve months. There was no statistical difference in atmospheric pressure, temperature or humidity between the days with and those without pneumothorax. No statistical difference was observed in the atmospheric pressure changes between the days with pneumothorax.

CONCLUSION

In our area, no relationship was observed between pneumothorax episodes and meteorological conditions in cases with SP, but attacks were found to occur more often in certain seasons and months. We believe that more significant results could be obtained if similar studies are conducted in other regions or maybe all over the country.