Sniff Nasal Inspiratory Pressure Does Not Decrease in Elderly Subjects

Abstract

[Purpose] Measurements of inspiratory strength are critical for detecting inspiratory muscle weakness. Sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP) is a quick, noninvasive measurement of global inspiratory strength; however, it is not clear how many trials are needed for reliable measurements. [Subjects and Methods] One hundred and nineteen subjects (age 39.9±16.5, range 18–69 yrs) completed the study. They were divided into subgroups of different ages and gender. Subjects were asked to take 20 maximal sniffs after normal expiration, with 30 seconds rest in-between. The highest values among the first 10 and last 10 SNIP maneuvers were recorded as SNIP1-10, and SNIP11-20, respectively. The paired t-test was used to compare the differences. Two-way measures ANOVA was used to compare the effects of age and gender on SNIP. [Results] SNIP 11–20 was significantly greater than SNIP1–10, suggesting that 10 trials is not enough to eliminate learning effects. Age did not affect SNIP in either gender, suggesting SNIP is preserved. In stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, the SNIP values were positively related with body mass index in women and positively related with weight in men. [Conclusion] The results suggest that twenty trials are needed for reliable SNIP measurements. The mean value and lower limits of normal SNIP are provided for clinical comparison.

Reference Range of Respiratory Muscle Strength and Its Clinical Application in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Single-Center Study

“…Most previous studies have found respiratory pressures to be mainly influenced by sex. 5 11 12 13 The values of MIP, MEP, and SNIP are reportedly about 30% higher in males than in females, which is consistent with our results. Besides sex, age is another strong predictor, with respiratory pressure declining with age.…”

“…Racial differences may have also contributed to the results. 13 BMI was positively correlated with MIP and SNIP in our study, like in previous studies, 5 13 18 which may be attributable to muscle mass being correlated with height and weight, which determine the BMI. 4 11 …”

Respiratory Muscle Function in Older Adults with Chronic Respiratory Diseases after Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Subterranean Salt Chambers

“…They concluded that SNIP was inversely correlated with age. However, Huang et al [35], who studied 160 subjects with a mean age of 39.9 ± 16.5 (range 18-69 years) and divided them into different age and gender subgroups, concluded that sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP) does not decrease in elderly subjects. Analyzing the results of our study, we noted that both the average sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP) value for women at 39.5 cmH 2 O and for men at 39.3 cmH 2 O before the rehabilitation and treatment stay, as well as after its completion, with values for women at 47 cmH 2 O and for men at 57.2 cmH 2 O, were below the aforementioned reference values established for older individuals by Uldry et al [34].…”

Pearls and pitfalls of respiratory testing in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and COPD

“…A false-positive result can arise from poor technique. The addition of SNIP to MIP helps reduce false-positive diagnosis of inspiratory muscle weakness by 20% [ 13 , 14 ]. SNIP more negative than −70 cmH 2 O in men and more negative than −60 cmH 2 O in women excludes clinically significant weakness [ 12 ].…”