Skip to main content
. 2016 Oct 17;17(10):1735. doi: 10.3390/ijms17101735

Table 1.

Practical recommendations for inspiratory and expiratory muscle testing in LOPD. LLN, lower limit of normal; MEP, maximal expiratory pressure; MIP, maximal inspiratory pressure; PCF, peak cough flow; SNIP, sniff nasal inspiratory pressure; TLC, total lung capacity; VC, vital capacity; PFT, pulmonary function testing; IVC, inspiratory vital capacity; SVC, slow vital capacity; ERV, expiratory reserve volume; IRV inspiratory reserve volume; TV, tidal volume; TLC, total lung capacity; RV, residual volume. Normal values are derived from [33].

Test Device/Method LLN Significance Recommendations
MEP Manometer Females 70 cm H2O, males 100 cm H2O Expiratory muscle strength First-line, at least annually
PCF Peak flow meter 270 L/min, airway clearance impaired if 160–270 L/min, airway clearance impossible if <160 L/min Reduced vital capacity Reduced inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength First-line, at least annually widely available
MIP Manometer Females 70 cm H2O, males 80 cm H2O Inspiratory muscle strength First-line, at least annually
SNIP Manometer Females 60 cm H2O, males 70 cm H2O Inspiratory muscle strength Surrogate of MIP if weakness of the orbicularis oris muscle is present
VC Spirometry Upright > 80% of predicted VC, supine > 80% of upright VC IRV + TV + ERV (global test of lung volume and respiratory muscle performance) First-line, at least annually