Abstract
Background: Measurement of respiratory muscle function is important in the diagnosis of respiratory muscle disease, respiratory failure, to assess the impact of chronic diseases, and/or to evaluate respiratory muscle function after treatment. Objectives: To establish reference values for maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, and the tension-time index at rest in healthy children and adolescents aged 8-19 years, as well as to present sex-and age-related reference centiles normalized for demographic and anthropometric determinants. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, demographic, anthropometric, and spirometric data were assessed, as well as data on respiratory muscle strength (P-Imax and P-Emax) and work of breathing at rest (T-T0.1), in a total of 251 children (117 boys and 134 girls; mean age 13.4 +/- 2.9 years). Reference values are presented as reference centiles developed by use of the lambda, mu, sigma method. Results: Boys had significantly higher PImax and PEmax values. Next to sex and age, fat-free mass appeared to be an important predictor of respiratory muscle strength. Reference centiles demonstrated a slight, almost linear increase in PImax with age in boys, and a less steep increase with age in girls. TT0.1 values did not differ between boys and girls and decreased linearly with age. Conclusion: This study provides reference values for respiratory muscle strength and work of breathing at rest. In addition to sex and age, fat-free mass was found to be an important predictor of respiratory muscle strength in boys and girls. (C) 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 235-243 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Respiration |
Volume | 95 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2018 |
Keywords
- Respiratory muscle strength
- Tension time index
- Children
- Adolescents
- Reference values
- TENSION-TIME INDEX
- HEALTHY-CHILDREN
- CYSTIC-FIBROSIS
- NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS
- EXPIRATORY PRESSURES
- EXERCISE
- DISEASE
- ADULTS