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Reference values of maximal respiratory mouth pressures: a population-based study
C Bruschi1, I Cerveri, M C Zoia
1Istituto di Tisiologia e Malattie dell'Apparato Respiratorio, Policlinico San Matteo, Università di Pavia, Italy.
The American Review of Respiratory Disease
|September 1, 1992
Summary
Maximal expiratory mouth pressures (MEP) are higher than maximal inspiratory mouth pressures (MIP). Body surface area and sex significantly influence these respiratory pressures, but age has a smaller effect.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Physiology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Maximal inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory (MEP) mouth pressures are key indicators of respiratory muscle strength.
- Establishing normative values is crucial for clinical interpretation in healthy individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure MIP and MEP in a large, representative sample of normal subjects.
- To identify factors influencing these pressures, including sex, age, and body size.
- To develop reference equations for normality.
Main Methods:
- Mouth pressures (MIP and MEP) were measured in 625 healthy adults.
- Data were analyzed using stepwise linear regression with body surface area (BSA), sex, and age as variables.
- Correlation and regression analyses were performed to establish predictive equations.
Main Results:
- MEP values were significantly higher than MIP values.
- Male subjects exhibited significantly higher pressures than female subjects.
- Body surface area (BSA) showed the strongest correlation with all measured pressures.
- Regression models, while significant, had low R2 values, indicating substantial unexplained variability.
Conclusions:
- Reference equations for MIP and MEP are useful but have limitations in explaining variability.
- Individual monitoring of MIP and MEP changes over time is clinically valuable.
- BSA and sex are key determinants of normal respiratory pressure values.