Author/Authors :
Ayed, Adel K. Kuwait University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Surgery, Kuwait , Ayed, Adel K. Chest Diseases Hospital - Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kuwait , Bazerbashi, Samer Chest Diseases Hospital - Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kuwait , Ben-Nakhi, Muneera Chest Diseases Hospital - Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kuwait , Chandrasekran, Chezhian Chest Diseases Hospital - Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kuwait , Sukumar, Murgan Chest Diseases Hospital - Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kuwait , Al-Rowayeh, Aiman Chest Diseases Hospital - Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kuwait , Al-Othman, Mohammed Chest Diseases Hospital - Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kuwait
Abstract :
Objectives: To determine the risk factors of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) in Kuwait. Subjects and Methods: From January 2002 through December 2003, 254 consecutive cases with a diagnosis of SP were reviewed. Analyses of pneumothorax rates by age, sex, smoking, body mass index (BMI) and climatic conditions were evaluated. Results: Of the 254 patients, 242 (95%) were male and 12 (5%) were female; a larger proportion of 180 (88%) were Kuwaitis and 74 (12%) were expatriates. Two hundred and eight (82%) episodes were regarded as primary SP and 46 (18%) as secondary SP. The mean age was 24.5 ± 5.8 years for primary SP and 45.7 ± 14.5 years for secondary SP. One hundred and ninety-six (77%) individuals were current smokers. BMI in primary and secondary SP was 19.3 and 22.4, respectively (p 0.001). There was no relationship between SP and climatic conditions (a rise or fall in temperature, humidity or atmospheric pressure). However, a slight increase in SP occurred in July, probably the hottest month in Kuwait. Conclusions: The data indicate that the most important risk factors of SP in Kuwait are smoking, low BMI and the male gender.
Keywords :
Body mass index , Smoking , Spontaneous pneumothorax , Weather
