Análisis comparativo de los valores de las presiones respiratorias máximas con los valores de referencia en una población adulta sana

Background and aim: The determination of maximal respiratory pressures is a non-invasive process of high clinical value for assessing respiratory muscle strength. The aim is to analyse to what extent the existing predictive equations for the Spanish population are adjusted to the maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP) values observed in a sample of healthy adult subjects. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 63 healthy subjects recruited from the A Coruña University community using a simple random probabilistic method. Maximal respiratory pressures were performed using a pressure transducer connected to a scuba mouthpiece according to the standards of Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR). The results were compared with predictive equations proposed by Morales in 1997. Results: The study included the results from 24 females and 39 males (45.94 ± 16.71 years). Females showed a statically significant difference between the observed and predictive values, with -19.08 ± 23.57 cmH₂O and -28.13 ± 29.93 cmH₂O for MIP and MEP. A statistically significant difference was also observed for males with -25.18 ± 24.31 cmH₂O for MIP and -39.53 ± 44.38 cmH₂O for MEP. Conclusions: Predictive equations to calculate the theoretical values of maximal respiratory pressures in a healthy Spanish adult population overestimate considerably the real values of MIP and MEP. The results of this study highlight the need to create new reference equations by conducting a multicentre study representative of the entire Spanish population.