A Study on Etiology, Risk Factors, and Clinical Profile of Spontaneous Pneumothorax: A Single-Center Experience from South India

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) commonly presents as continuous, sharp, unilateral chest pain exacerbated by deep inspiration and change of posture. The present study has been undertaken to study the clinical profile of SP among in-patients of a tertiary care hospital in South India. Methodology: A prospective hospital-based study of 100 consecutive cases diagnosed with SP from January 2019 to September 2020. Every patient underwent comprehensive history taking, in-depth clinical examination, and investigations. Data were entered into Excel spreadsheets in 2019. Data were presented using frequency and percentage and descriptive statistics were used. Results: SP was more common in males, Smoking can be considered a significant risk factor for SP, as 54% of all cases had a history of smoking. Dyspnea, accompanied by unilateral chest pain is the most common SP symptom. Tuberculosis is the most common etiological component of SP. Eighty-five percent of cases were successfully treated by tube thoracostomy. Conclusion: SP was more common in males and during the third and fifth decades of life. Secondary SP was more common than primary SP. Smoking history is an important risk factor for SP. Evaluating the clinical profile helps in assessing the etiology of SP. Early screening for risk factors and detection of comorbidities helps in the prevention of SP.