Sporadic lung collapse may also occur in individuals not affected by BHD syndrome. Lung collapse is more likely due to the following risk factors:
- A background of smoking.
- Gender: men are more likely to develop lung collapse than women. (However, there is a condition, called catamenial pneumothorax, in which women experience lung collapse linked with the menstrual cycle.)
- Height: taller individuals experience more cases of pneumothorax.
- Age: pneumothorax is more frequent between 20-40 years of age.
- Lung disease.
Hereditary conditions other than BHD syndrome may also cause spontaneous pneumothorax, such as:
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency
- Alpha-1 Antitrypsin is a protein in the body which protects the lungs. A deficiency in this protein leads to lung damage.
- Alpha-1 Association
- Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease of the mucus glands that leads to damage of the respiratory system.
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is characterised by a lack of strength and structure to skin, bones, blood vessels and internal organs.
- Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
- LAM is a rare disease which mainly affects women. LAM patients develop lung cysts which can lead to pneumothorax.
- LAM Foundation
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH)
- LCH is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells.
- Histiocytosis Association of America.
- Marfan syndrome is a condition where the body’s connective tissue is abnormal. This can affect many parts of the body.
- National Marfan Foundation
- TSC is a rare disease characterised by benign tumour growth in multiple organs, including the lungs.
- Spontaneous Pneumothorax in Tuberous Sclerosis
- Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance
