DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i09.042

Pages: 3380-3384

Limited data is available on epidemiology of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) from India. The current study was aimed at studying aetiology and clinical profile of patients with SP. Diagnosed cases of spontaneous pneumothorax attending SMS Hospital were included in study as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Detailed demographic & clinical data was recorded. Patients were divided into two groups primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), if no underlying aetiology for pneumothorax was found, and secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP), when an underlying respiratory disorder could be identified. The clinical features were compared between the two groups. Seventy patients (9 with PSP and 61 with SSP) were included in the study. Age distribution showed a biphasic pattern and the overall male to female ratio was 4.3: 1. The most common etiology of SSP was found to be pulmonary tuberculosis 49.18 %(30 cases of 61 total) in which active tuberculosis was present in only 40% (12 case of 30 total)followed by COPD (26.22%). Spontaneous pneumothorax has a biphasic pattern of age distribution, is more common in males, most common symptom is dysponea followed by unilateral chest pain and cough. SSP is more common than PSP. The commonest etiological factor of SSP in our country is still Tuberculosis followed by COPD but SSP due to active tuberculosis is declining. Recurrence and complication are more common in SSP.