Author/Editor     Balantič, Zvone; Zupan, Anton
Title     Measurements of respiratory capacity in patients with neuromuscular diseases
Type     članek
Source     Exp Lung Res
Vol. and No.     Letnik 29
Publication year     2003
Volume     str. 537-48
Language     eng
Abstract     Weakening of the respiratory muscles in pačients with neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) threatens them with respiratory failure. The respiratory capacity of these patients is estimated by pulmonary functional tests. One of the most frequently used tests žs the measurement of vital capacity (VC) and determination of the percentage share of the VC reference value (%VC). Different body parameters such as body height and body weight are used for determining the %VC. It is difficult to measure these parameters in wheelchair-bound NMD patients, especially those in more advanced stages of disease. Another reason for questioning the objectivity of spirometric testing in NMD patients is that many of them manifest seuerely weakened facial muscles and consequently have trouble with blowing. This arlicle describes alternative testing of respiratory capacity and calcrclation (mathematžcal model) of predicted pulmonary functional values that is not based on the body height but on other more objectively measured anthropometrical parameters.
Descriptors     NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES
MUSCLE WEAKNESS
RESPIRATORY MUSCLES
VITAL CAPACITY
BODY HEIGHT
BODY WEIGHT
ANTHROPOMETRY
SPIROMETRY
WHEELCHAIRS