Inspiratory muscle strength and walking capacity in patients with COPD. Issue 1 (1st January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kofod, Linette Marie; Hage, Tine; Christiansen, Lene Houmann; Skalkam, Karin; Martinez, Gerd; Godtfredsen, Nina Skavlan; Molsted, Stig
• Is Part Of: European clinical respiratory journal. Volume 7:Issue 1(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-01-01
• Subjects: Maximal inspiratory strength -- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- physiotherapy -- quadriceps strength -- walking distance; Lungs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Lung Diseases; Lungs -- Diseases; Respiratory organs -- Diseases; Europe; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.24
• DOI: 10.1080/20018525.2019.1700086
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2001-8525

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Purpose : It has been suggested that patients with inspiratory muscle weakness could benefit from specific inspiratory muscle training (IMT). We aimed to examine the frequency of patients with inspiratory muscle weakness in a Danish hospital-based outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program, and to evaluate the association between inspiratory muscle strength and peripheral muscle strength and walking capacity. Methods : Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) was assessed in 97 patients with COPD (39 men, 58 women, mean age years 70 ± 9, forced expiratory volume in 1 s ((FEV1 ) = 35 ± 10% pred.). The impact of MIP on knee-extension strength, walking distance, and symptom burden was evaluated using multiple linear regression analyses. Results : The MIP of the patients with COPD was 63 (95% CI 59; 67) cmH2 O and it was significantly reduced compared to gender and age-matched reference values 76 (95% CI 73; 79) cmH2 O (p < 0.001). Seven patients (7.2%) were under the lower limit of normal. MIP was negatively correlated with increasing age, female gender, decreasing knee-extension strength and lower FEV1 % pred. Walking distance was associated with knee-extension strength and it was not associated with MIP. Conclusion : Maximal inspiratory pressure was reduced in patients with COPD but only a few patients had a weak MIP. Whilst MIP was associated with leg muscle strength, it was not associated with walking distance or symptoms.