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Association of fluoroquinolones with the risk of spontaneous pneumothorax: nationwide case-time-control study

Bénard-Laribière A, Pambrun E, Kouzan S, Faillie JL, Bezin J, Pariente A

Thorax, 2025

4 citations

Abstract

Introduction: Fluoroquinolones can cause severe collagen-associated adverse effects, potentially impacting the pulmonary connective tissue. We investigated the association between fluoroquinolones and spontaneous pneumothorax.

Methods: A case-time-control study was performed using the nationwide French reimbursement healthcare system database (SNDS). Cases were adults ≥18 years admitted for spontaneous pneumothorax between 2017 and 2022. For each case, fluoroquinolone use was compared between the risk period immediately preceding the admission date (days -30 to -1), and three earlier reference periods (days -180 to -151, -150 to -121, -120 to -91), adjusting for time-varying confounders. OR estimates were corrected for potential exposure-trend bias using a reference group without the event (matched on age, sex, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease history, calendar time). Amoxicillin use was studied similarly to control for indication bias.

Results: Of the 246 pneumothorax cases exposed to fluoroquinolones (63.8% men; mean age, 43.0±18.4 years), 63 were exposed in the 30-day risk period preceding pneumothorax and 128 in the reference periods. Of the 3316 amoxicillin cases (72.9% men; mean age, 39.4±17.6 years), 1210 were exposed in the 30-day risk period and 1603 in the reference ones. OR adjusted for exposure-trend and covariates was 1.59 (95% CI 1.14 to 2.22) for fluoroquinolones and 2.25 (2.07 to 2.45) for amoxicillin.

Conclusion: An increased risk of spontaneous…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a case-control, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause.

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