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International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
Published on: March 12, 2020
Air pollution, weather variations and primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Luca Bertolaccini1, Laura Alemanno, Gaetano Rocco
1Division of Thoracic Surgery, S. Croce e Carle Hospital, Cuneo, Italy.
Journal of Thoracic Disease
|January 21, 2012
Summary
Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) admissions cluster, influenced by weather and air pollution. Key factors include wind speed, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone levels, suggesting environmental triggers for SP events.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Medicine
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) admissions exhibit clustering patterns.
- These clusters have been anecdotally linked to atmospheric pressure changes and thunderstorms.
- This study investigates environmental factors influencing SP incidence in an industrial region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between meteorological parameters and air pollutant concentrations on spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) incidence.
- To determine if environmental factors can explain the clustered nature of SP hospitalizations.
Main Methods:
- Prospective evaluation of 591 SP patients over five years (October 2002 - December 2007).
- Daily recording of standard weather parameters and air pollutant concentrations.
- Statistical analysis, including multiple regression, to identify significant correlations.
Main Results:
- 81% of SP admissions occurred in clusters.
- SP incidence showed significant relationships with daily minimum wind speed, NO(2) standard deviation, CO(2) extremes, O(3) minimums, and mean CO(2).
- Multiple regression identified associations between SP admissions and variations in NO(2), O(3), NO, temperature standard deviation, and wind speed anomalies.
Conclusions:
- Meteorological parameters and atmospheric pollutants are potential explanatory factors for SP hospitalization clusters.
- Environmental monitoring may aid in predicting and managing SP events.
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