ABSTRACT
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common disease seen in Indian population. It is most commonly seen in the lower strata where beedi and cigarette smoking is most prevalent and starts at an early age. Smoke arising from cooking stoves during cooking is the cause of COPD in females. Though the number of males suffering from COPD is much larger than females, we observed a proportionate number of females in all age group suffering from this disease. It is the leading cause of mortality and should be studied in detail so as to avoid complications in such patients. We have studied the strength of respiratory muscles in such patients using newer techniques like Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) and 7 8 Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP). Terzano et al. (2008) and Khalil et al.(2014) have carried out similar studies in COPD patients. We have checked correlation between anthropometric measurements and strength of respiratory muscles, correlation between airway resistance and muscle strength and also compared the sensitivity and specificity of this technique using ROC (receiver operating Curve) as compared to the age old spirometry. These techniques may help in monitoring the status of COPD patients and assessing muscle weakness.