RT Journal Article
T1 Maximal Respiratory Pressure Reference Equations in Healthy Adults and Cut-off Points for Defining Respiratory Muscle Weakness
A1 Lista Paz, Ana
A1 Langer, Daniel
A1 Barral Fernández, Margarita
A1 Quintela del Río, Alejandro
A1 Gimeno Santos, Elena
A1 Arbillaga Etxarri, Ane
A1 Torres Castro, Rodrigo
A1 Vilaró Casamitjana, Jordi
A1 Varas de la Fuente, Ana B.
A1 Serrano Veguillas, Cristina
A1 Bravo Cortés, Pilar
A1 Martín Cortijo, Concepción
A1 García Delgado, Esther
A1 Herrero Cortina, Beatriz
A1 Valera, José Luis
A1 Fregonezi, Guilherme A.F.
A1 González Montañez, Carolina
A1 Martín Valero, Rocío
A1 Francín Gallego, Marina
A1 Sanesteban Hermida, Yolanda
A1 Giménez Moolhuyzen, Esther
A1 Álvarez Rivas, Jorge
A1 Ríos Cortes, Antonio T.
A1 Souto Camba, Sonia
A1 González Doniz, Luz
AB Introduction: maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (PImax/PEmax) reference equations obtained in healthy people are needed to correctly interpret respiratory muscle strength. Currently, no clear cut-off points defining respiratory muscle weakness are available. We aimed to establish sex-specific reference equations for PImax/PEmax in a large sample of healthy adults and to objectively determine cut-off points for respiratory muscle weakness. Methods: a multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted across 14 Spanish centres. Healthy non-smoking volunteers aged 18–80 years stratified by sex and age were recruited. PImax/PEmax were assessed using uniform methodology according to international standards. Multiple linear regressions were used to obtain reference equations. Cut-off points for respiratory muscle weakness were established by using T-scores. Results: the final sample consisted of 610 subjects (314 females; 48 [standard deviation, SD: 17] years). Reference equations for PImax/PEmax included body mass index and a squared term of the age as independent variables for both sexes (p < 0.01). Cut-off points for respiratory muscle weakness based on T-scores ≥2.5 SD below the peak mean value achieved at a young age were: 62 and 83 cmH2O for PImax and 81 and 109 cmH2O for PEmax in females and males, respectively. Conclusion:  these reference values, based on the largest dataset collected in a European population to date using uniform methodology, help identify cut-off points for respiratory muscle weakness in females and males. These data will help to better identify the presence of respiratory muscle weakness and to determine indications for interventions to improve respiratory muscle function.
PB Elsevier / Sociedad Española de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica SEPAR
SN 0300-2896
YR 2023
FD 2023-12
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124656
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124656
LA eng
NO Lista-Paz A, Langer D, Barral-Fernández M, Quintela-del-Río A, Gimeno-Santos E, Arbillaga-Etxarri A, et al. Maximal Respiratory Pressure Reference Equations in Healthy Adults and Cut-off Points for Defining Respiratory Muscle Weakness. Archivos de Bronconeumología 2023;59:813–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arbres.2023.08.016.
NO This work was funded by a research grant from the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR), project 615/2018 and from The Official College of Physiotherapists from Galicia (CoFiGa). Margarita Barral-Fernández was awarded a grant by SEPAR to work full-time on this project for 12 months. Funding for open access charge: Universidade da Coruna/CISUG
NO Universidade da Coruña
NO Sociedad Española de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica
NO Colegio Oficial de Fisioterapeutas de Galicia
DS Docta Complutense
RD 8 jun 2026