Study of respiratory center drive, respiratory muscle performance and breathing patterns of some extrathoracic disorders

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out on 40 subjects divided into four equal groups [G]. GI included 10 obese subjects, GII included 10 patients of upper airway obstruction, GIII included 10 patients with tense ascites and GIV included 10 normal persons as a control. Obese subjects showed significant increase in respiratory center discharge, respiratory frequency and minute ventilation associated with a degree of respiratory muscle dysfunction and shortening of the inspiratory time [Ti]. Patients of GII showed significant increase in respiratory center drive associated with significant reduction in their tidal volume. Also, there was a degree of respiratory muscle dysfunction. The significant findings in patients with ascites [GIII] were increased respiratory drive and respiratory frequency with subsequent shortening of Ti. Possible explanations for these results were discussed