Evaluation of the Maximal Respiratory Pressure in Children and Adolescentswith Asthma between 7 and 14 Years Old

Objectives: To evaluate the respiratory muscle strength among children (<10 years old) and adolescents with asthma. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective study, among children and adolescents (7 years to 14 years of age) with asthma. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) [in cmH2O] were measured through digital manometer. The variables evaluated were: gender, age, BMI (body mass index), severity of asthma, use of inhaled corticosteroid (IC). Results: A total of 48 individuals were studied. MIP values were according: a) normal weight=69.5 ± 22.6; overweight=81.6 ± 25.4 (p<0.088); b) use of inhaled corticosteroid=70.5 ± 23.0; no use=25.1 ± 86.3 (p<0.045). MEP values according: a) ages 7-9 years=78.8 ± 19.4; 10-14 years=68.1 ± 22.7 (p<0.097); b) normal weight=66.1 ± 18.9; overweight=80.3 ± 23.3 (p<0.024); c) use of inhaled corticosteroid=68.3 ± 18.3; no use=83.1 ± 27.5 (p<0.036); d) with bronchiectasis=61.8 ± 19.2; without bronchiectasis=83.1 ± 27.5 (p<0.069). Conclusions: Patients who used inhaled corticosteroid had MIP and MEP lower than the others; patients with normal BMI tended to have lower MEP than the overweight group and lower MIP in the group of normal weight. There was a tendency of adolescents to present lower MEP than children.