Respiratory muscle strength in asthmatic children

Abstract

Summary Introduction: Changes in the respiratory system of asthmatics are also due to the mechanical disadvantage caused by the increased airway resistance. Objective: The study aims to evaluate the respiratory muscle strength and nutritional status of asthmatic children. Method: This is a prospective descriptive and transversal study with 50 children aged 7 to 12 years, who were placed into 2 groups, asthmatic and non-asthmatic. Respiratory muscle strength was evaluated on the basis of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP). The nutritional status was evaluated by measuring the anthropometric data, including height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). The findings were subjected to analysis of variance, chi-square, and Student's t test, and p-values < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In our comparisons, we observed statistically significantly lower values for age, weight, and height in asthmatic patients: 8.52 ± 1.49 years, 30.62 ± 7.66 kg, and 129.85 ± 10.24 cm, respectively, vs. non-asthmatic children(9.79 ± 1.51 years, 39.92 ± 16.57 kg, and 139.04 ± 11.62 cm, respectively). There was no significant increase in MIP and MEP between the groups: MIP was -84.96 ± 27.52 cmH2O for the asthmatic group and -88.56 ± 26.50 cmH2O for the non-asthmatic group, and MEP was 64.48 ± 19.23 cmH2O for asthmatic children and +66.72 ± 16.56 cmH2O for non-asthmatics. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference between groups, but we observed that MIP and MEP were slightly higher in the non-asthmatic group than in the asthmatic group.

Respiratory muscle strength in children with mild bronchial asthma disease

“…Our results are in agreement with reports by Marcelino et al (2012) andde Oliveira et al (2012), who found that inspiratory muscle strength in children with mild bronchial asthma is similar to inspiratory muscle strength in healthy controls. Compared to these studies (de Oliveira et al, 2012;Marcelino et al, 2012), we evaluated the PI max and PE max values in the percentage of predicted values, providing us with more accurate results. It is reported (Heinzmann-Filho et al, 2012;Neder, Andreoni, Lerario, & Nery, 1999;Wilson et al, 1984) that the PI max and PE max values depend on age, weight and height.…”

“…We confirmed a lower level of respiratory muscle strength in children with asthma than in healthy children, but a significant difference was reached only for the PE max in girls with asthma. Our results are in agreement with reports by Marcelino et al (2012) andde Oliveira et al (2012), who found that inspiratory muscle strength in children with mild bronchial asthma is similar to inspiratory muscle strength in healthy controls. Compared to these studies (de Oliveira et al, 2012;Marcelino et al, 2012), we evaluated the PI max and PE max values in the percentage of predicted values, providing us with more accurate results.…”

“…It is reported (Heinzmann-Filho et al, 2012;Neder, Andreoni, Lerario, & Nery, 1999;Wilson et al, 1984) that the PI max and PE max values depend on age, weight and height. For that reason, our results of the decreased PE max values in girls with asthma differ from the results in the study by Marcelino et al (2012). The authors of that study did not confirm any significant reduction in the PE max values between healthy and children with asthma.…”

“…All of these parameters can be assessed non-invasively (Hronek et al, 2013;Varekova & Vareka, 2013) and they might influence the respiratory muscle strength of patients with asthma. Even if previous research on respiratory muscle strength in children with asthma has not indicated that there are differences in the respiratory muscle strength between children with and without asthma (de Oliveira et al, 2012;Marcelino et al, 2012), our study findings indicate that respiratory muscle strength testing should be an important part of the complex assessment of children with asthma, especially in those who are symptomatic. Early recognition of decreased respiratory muscle strength should lead to including targeted chest physiotherapy focused on respiratory muscle training to comprehensive treatment of these patients.…”

“…Recent research has noted that mild and moderate asthma in children and adolescents does not have a significant effect on respiratory muscle strength (de Oliveira, Lanza, & Solé, 2012). Similarly, Marcelino, Da Cunha, Da Cunha, and Da Silva (2012) documented a lack of significant differences between the maximal inspiratory and expiratory (PE max ) mouth pressures in children with and without asthma. They observed just slightly decreased values of PI max and PE max in children with asthma compared with children without asthma.…”