Reference Values for Maximal Respiratory Pressures

Background: Maximal respiratory pressures are suitable for non –invasive evaluation of respiratory muscle function A variety of methods for subject selection and test procedures have been used for the determination of normal values and reference equations for maximal respiratory pressure (MRP). Materials and Methods: we analyzed a well-defined, healthy subgroup of 224 men and 211 women with a wide age range (20 to 82 yr), using multiple linear regression, for the purpose of determining the effect of age, other correlates, normal values, and gender-specific reference equations on MRP. Results: Mean values of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) were 9.78 kPa for men and 7.61 kPa for women. Mean values of maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were 13.11kPa for men and 10.21 kPa for women. Conclusion: Prediction equations and mean value normally resulted from a cohort study of healthy 20-82 yrs subjects are given and are recommended to be used by pulmonary function laboratories in IRAN.(Tanaffos 2005; 4(14): 19-23)