RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Utility of Rectus Abdominis Ultrasound as a Respiratory Function Test for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
JF Respiratory Care
FD American Association for Respiratory Care
SP 520
OP 525
DO 10.4187/respcare.09317
VO 67
IS 5
A1 Rina Ando
A1 Yuki Yamanishi
A1 Satoshi Tada
A1 Noriyuki Miyaue
A1 Mohammed Emamussalehin Choudhury
A1 Masahiro Nagai
YR 2022
UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/67/5/520.abstract
AB BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) causes deterioration of respiratory function. Muscle weakness of the orbicularis oris interferes with the accurate assessment of respiratory function using spirometry. Reduced forced vital capacity (FVC) is an indicator that helps determine the appropriate timing to provide noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for the survival of ALS patients. We employed ultrasonography to evaluate changes in respiratory function by measuring the thickness of the rectus abdominis (RA) muscle as a possible alternative to spirometry.METHODS: Sixteen subjects with ALS were included in this study. The thickness of RA muscles was measured using ultrasonography, and respiratory fluctuations, such as vital capacity (VC), FVC, FEV1, percentage of predicted VC (%VC), percentage of predicted FVC (%FVC), percentage of predicted FEV1 (%FEV1), and FEV1/FVC, were evaluated using spirometry.RESULTS: Sixteen subjects underwent assessment by ultrasonography. A positive correlation was observed between the percent change in RA muscle thickness evaluated from maximal expiration to maximal inspiration and %VC (P = .001), %FVC (P = .001), FEV1 (P = .009), and %FEV1 (P = .02).CONCLUSIONS: RA ultrasonography was useful for predicting a reduction in VC in subjects with ALS and may help determine the best timing for introducing NIV.