Open Access
Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2012; 16(04): 492-496
DOI: 10.7162/S1809-97772012000400010
Original Article
Thieme Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Respiratory muscle strength in asthmatic children

Alessandra Maria Farias Cavalcante Marcelino
1   Master. Professor.
,
Daniele Andrade da Cunha
2   PhD. Professor.
,
Renata Andrade da Cunha
3   Master. Student.
,
Hilton Justino da Silva
4   PhD. Professor.
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

25 May 2012

31 July 2012

Publication Date:
10 December 2013 (online)

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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.