Role of meteorological changes in occurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax and clinical characteristics of patients

Abstract

Background: This study aims to define the role of meteorological changes in occurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax and clinical characteristics of patients. Methods: Between January 2008 - December 2008 and April 2010 - March 2012, a total of 95 patients (87 males, 8 females; mean age 36.7±16.7; range 16 to 78 years) who were diagnosed with spontaneous pneumothorax at our clinic were included. Patients were retrospectively evaluated based on their clinical characteristics and admission days. The admission day was regarded as the day in which spontaneous pneumothorax developed. Sixty-seven patients had primary spontaneous pneumothorax, while 28 had secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. The meteorological data were obtained from General Directorate of Meteorology, Kahramanmaraş. Meteorological data in days spontaneous pneumothorax developed were compared to days without any event and relationship between meteorological changes and in occurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax were investigated. Results: During the study, the patients were mostly presented in autumn season (31.6%), while the least was seen in spring season (12.6%). September and February had the highest number of patients, whereas April had the lowest number of patients. There was no significant difference in the mean atmospheric pressure, wind speed, rainfall and temperature among the days with/without spontaneous pneumothorax. In days with spontaneous pneumothorax, humidity was lower, however this difference was not significant. Daytime maximum-minimum humidity difference was higher in the days with spontaneous pneumothorax and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.011). Conclusion: This study suggested that the risk of occurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax might increase in days with high daily humidity difference.