Spontaneous pneumothorax and factors associated with its development in a cohort of COVID-19 patients in Latin America

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In patients infected by SARS-CoV-2, acute respiratory failure is secondary to acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, in these patients other acute complications have been detected in the differential diagnosis, such as spontaneous pneumothorax. Description From a sample of 306 patients with COVID-19, 11 were found complicated with spontaneous pneumothorax and one of them, in addition, with spontaneous pneumomediastinum, two conditions very rarely associated with this infection. Methodology: Observational cohort study to determine the frequency and factors associated with spontaneous pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum in patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted between june 2020 and june 2021. Result(s) Of the total sample of 306 patients, the main affected gender was the male. Measures of central tendency such as mean (60.8 years), mode (40.9-80.7) were used and the Chi-square test was applied to appreciate statistical value between the various variables to be correlated. When correlating the variables, mortality occurred mainly in the age group over 60 years p <0.0007. COPD as antecedent p <0.0004, ROX index less than 4.88 p <0.0001, PAFI less than 100 mm Hg p <0.003. The mortality found was 8 of the 11 patients. Conclusion(s) The occurrence of pneumothorax is a serious complication in this patient population and is associated with greater severity, although it has not yet been established due to the limited evidence available, case reports so far indicate that mortality appears to be higher compared to those in they do not develop pneumothorax.