Measurement of respiratory muscle strength.

TLDR: In this editorial the current techniques to assess respiratory muscle strength are reviewed and the chest physician is advised to initiate and to be able to interpret simple tests of respiratory muscle function.

Abstract: Why must the chest physician become familiar with assessment of the respiratory muscles? Firstly, because dyspnoea in patients in whom no pulmonary cause can be detected may be due to respiratory muscle weakness.t2 Even moderately severe muscle weakness may be difficult to detect clinically3 and, indeed, it is possible to have total paralysis of the diaphragm without life threatening consequences.4 Secondly, because patients with clearly documented generalised neuromuscular disease usually also have respiratory muscle weakness2 and, for selected cases, treatment in the form of non-invasive ventilation is indicated.5 Finally, there has recently been increased awareness that respiratory muscle weakness can be a compounding factor in other disease processes such as malnutrition6 and steroid therapy.7 For all of these reasons it is important for respiratory physicians to initiate and to be able to interpret simple tests ofrespiratory muscle function. For most patients the suspicion of clinically important respiratory muscle weakness may be confirmed or excluded by simple tests that can be performed in the general hospital setting without the purchase of expensive equipment, but in some patients complex tests in a specialised laboratory are necessary (fig 1). In this editorial the current techniques to assess respiratory muscle strength are reviewed with