Introduction
It is essential to note that malnutrition can lead to weakness of the respiratory muscles. Lands et al.’s research has demonstrated that adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were malnourished and had issues with the level of hyperinflation resulting in respiratory muscle shortening (Lands et al., 1990). Furthermore, evidence from previous studies suggests that hyperalimentation results in an elevation of maximal inspiratory blood pressure. As a consequence, it was hypothesized that malnutrition leads to a decline in respiratory muscle strength (RMS).
Methods
Participants were selected for the study from the Respiratory Medicine and Adolescent Services of the Montreal Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. They were aged 12-35 years and had been assessed for clinical criteria related to respiratory issues. Their weight and height were measured before the study, and participants signed a consent form. Participants were defined as malnourished if their BMP or PIWT was less than the 90th percentile (Lands et al., 1990). The comparison between the treatment and control groups was performed using analysis of variance and a post hoc t-test.
Results
RMS was reduced in both the AN and CF groups; however, no significant change was observed when the AN group was considered solely as a control group of female subjects. The reduction in Plmax in the CF group was primarily due to mechanical imperfections at the diaphragm, associated with their noted hyperinflation, with an average RV1TLC ratio of 50 ± 23% (Lands et al., 1990, p. 1506). It was also determined that the CF subgroup in the same age category had no observed difference in RMS despite the occurrence of malnutrition and hyperinflation.
Discussion
The study’s findings indicate that malnutrition can lead to a decrease in respiratory muscle strength in humans. Meanwhile, this does not significantly affect clinical change in the respiratory system. Moreover, RMS is weakly associated with the level of nutrition and its quality (Lands et al., 1990). People with negative changes in the respiratory system due to malnutrition also complained of associated illnesses. Hence, there was no direct significant correlation between malnutrition and its impact on the respiratory system.
Reference
Lands, L., Desmond, K. J., Demizio, D., Pavilanis, A., & Coates, A. L. (1990). The effects of nutritional status and hyperinflation on respiratory muscle strength in children and young adults. American Review of Respiratory Disease, 141(6), 1506–1509.