Saima Khan, Shamoon Noushad, Sadaf Ahmed.
Prevalence of various causes of pneumothorax in comparison to male and female.
Baqai J Health Sci Jan ;16(12):7-10.

Pneumothorax is the collection of air in the pleural cavity that causes failure of the affected lung. Depending on the primary disease, the peak incidence of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax can occur in elder age that is most common in emphysema patients. In such patients air enters in the pleural spaces directly through alveolar rupture by lung interstitium or backward through mediastinal pleura. This study compares the prevalence and recurrence of pneumothorax in male versus female patients. Data of 94 patients was collected from the Aga Khan University Hospital Radiology Information System. Their risk of recurrence was analyzed with particular reference to the variables such as age and sex of the patient, initial size of pneumothorax, smoking status of the patient, height and body mass index and the treatment employed. Results showed that males are more prone to pneumothorax and to its recurrences. The incidence of causes included emphysema (64.9% male while 14.9 females), atelectasis (60.6% male while 12.8% females), cystic fibrosis (77.7% male while 18.1% females), pneumonia (78.7% male while 18.1% females), pleural effusion (67% male while 11.7% females), embolism (80.9% male while 18.1% females), tachypnea (80.9% male while 18.1% females), fracture (78.7% male while 17% females), and tuberculosis (79.8% male while 16% females). Male height was the second most important factor while smoking cessation also significantly influenced the risk of recurrence.

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