Abstract
Patients with mild idiopathic scoliosis occasionally complain of exercise intolerance even in the presence of normal standard pulmonary function tests. We postulated that respiratory muscle compromise, possibly due to distortion of rib cage and diaphragm, might be a factor. With the technique of Black and Hyatt (Am Rev Resp Dis 99:696, 1969), we measured maximal static inspiratory (PImax) and expiratory (PEmax) pressures, which in the absence of intrinsic lung disease reflect respiratory muscle function. We studied 25 girls of mean age 18 years (range: 10-30 y) who had normal lung volumes (> 80% predicted) and were free from neuromuscular and intrinsic lung disease. Primary thoracic curves averaged 500 (range: 17-900). For comparison we also measured PImax and PEmax in 25 healthy girls, matched for age and body surface area.
PImax for the study group averaged 89 cm H2O (SD:± 13 cm H2O) and that for the control group 115 ± 22 cm H2O. PEmax for the study group averaged 131 ± 26 cm H2O and for the control group 166 ± 8 cm H2O. Both differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). There was no relationship between PImax or PEmax and the angle of thoracic curvature. We conclude that respiratory muscle compromise is frequently demonstrable in girls with mild idiopathic scoliosis and may be a factor in their symptoms. (J.R.M. is the recipient of a Parker B. Francis Foundation Fellowship).
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Morton, J., Strieder, D. 1214 RESPIRATORY MUSCLE FUNCTION IN IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 566 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-01220
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-01220