MAXIMAL RESPIRATORY PRESSURES AND THEIR CORRELATES IN NORMAL INDIAN ADULT POPULATION: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: The measurement of maximum static inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum static expiratory pressure (MEP) is important in the diagnosis of respiratory muscle dysfunction. There is a paucity of data done on MIP and MEP across the decades in Indian population to predict normal values for maximal respiratory pressures. Materials and Methods: Five hundred subjects were selected through purposive sampling. Each age group had 100 subjects (50 males and 50 females). Pulmonary function tests and baseline data of demographic and anthropometric data of the normal subjects like age, height, weight and body mass index was recorded. The maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and Maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) was measured with a portable respiratory pressure meter (Micro RPM) using a standard protocol. Results: MIP and MEP were studied across all decades and the mean values obtained were comparable with that of the Caucasian population in previous studies. Also MIP and MEP mean values were significantly higher in males as compared to females across the decades. Age showed a statistically significant negative correlation with both MIP and MEP with pearsons correlation coefficient. In males, MIP and MEP correlated negatively with height and weight. In females MIP correlated negatively with height and MEP correlated positively with height and weight. Conclusion: The decade wise mean values obtained for MIP and MEP can be used as a reference to determine respiratory muscle strength in normal Indian adult population. KEY WORDS: Maximal Respiratory Pressures, Adults, MIP, MEP, Normal Values, Reference Values.