[Predictive factors of recurrence in spontaneous pneumothorax]

Spontaneous pneumothorax is usually a benign condition that most often affects young patients. Its most common complication is recurrence. This complication appears to be increased by some factors.

To identify predictors of recurrence in spontaneous pneumothorax through a series of 204 cases.

A retrospective study of 204 cases of patients hospitalized for spontaneous pneumothorax. 50 patients experienced at least one recurrence. The study of predictors of recurrence is based on the X2 test for the univariate analysis and logistic regression for the multivariate analysis.

The average age of our patients was 37 ± 7.6 years. A male predominance was noted (97.6 %). 80.4% of patients were smokers. Pneumothorax is considered primary in 65.2 % of cases. Fifty patients had at least one recurrence of their pneumothorax. Smoking and the pursuit of tobacco intoxication were the two risk factors for recurrence in our patients. Gender, age, side, importance of pneumothorax and therapeutic means of the first episode as well as the primary or secondary pneumothorax did not influence recurrence. In the multivariate analysis the pursuit of tobacco intoxication was the only predictor factor of recurrence.

The recurrence is the most common complication of spontaneous pneumothorax. This risk appears to be increased by smoking and the pursuit of tobacco intoxication. Thus smoking cessation could be a simple and effective means to prevent recurrence.