Spontaneous pneumothorax occurs most commonly in which group?

Spontaneous pneumothorax occurs most commonly in which group?

• A. Tall, slender males aged 16-24 with smoking history
• B. Elderly women with COPD
• C. Children under 5
• D. Athletes with asthma

Answer: (A)

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax most commonly occurs in tall, thin young men who smoke. In these individuals, rupture of subpleural apical blebs—often related to the combination of tall stature and smoking—lets air seep into the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse. The age range is typically late teens to early 20s, which is why this group is most frequently affected. In contrast, secondary spontaneous pneumothorax, such as in elderly patients with COPD, arises from underlying lung disease and is more common in older adults but overall less common than PSP. Children under 5 and athletes with asthma do not have the same strong demographic and pathophysiologic predisposition as tall, slender young smokers.

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax most commonly occurs in tall, thin young men who smoke. In these individuals, rupture of subpleural apical blebs—often related to the combination of tall stature and smoking—lets air seep into the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse. The age range is typically late teens to early 20s, which is why this group is most frequently affected.

In contrast, secondary spontaneous pneumothorax, such as in elderly patients with COPD, arises from underlying lung disease and is more common in older adults but overall less common than PSP. Children under 5 and athletes with asthma do not have the same strong demographic and pathophysiologic predisposition as tall, slender young smokers.