Effect of the substance abuse on respiratory muscle strength in youths

Abstract

PURPOSE: Acute respiratory failure is a common complication in substance abuse,occuring as a result of central nervous system depression or respiratory muscle fatigue.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the substance abuse on respiratory muscle strength.

METHODS: Male adolescents with cannabis and heroin use disorders admitted to Alcohol and Substance Treatment Center at Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital were evaluated.For control group,healthy male subjects were recruited from students in Faculty of Health Science at Istanbul University.Respiratory muscle strength(PImax,PEmax) evaluated by CareFusion MicroRPM device.

RESULTS: The mean ages of adolescents with cannabis(n=20) and heroin(n=20) use disorders,and controls(n=20) were 16.7±0.9, 16.8±0.8 and 19.20±1.43 years,respectively.The average ages of onset and duration of substance use were 14.1±1.2 years and 32.3±20.2 months for adolescents with cannabis use,and 14.8±1.7 years and 25.3±18.0 months for those with heroin use,respectively.PImax and PEmax values were significantly lower in both substance use disorder groups,compared to the controls(p=0.003 and p=0.009 for PImax; p=0.001 and p=0.048 for PEmax,respectively).However there was no statistically significant difference for respiratory muscle strength between two adolescents groups with substance use disorder(p>0.005 for PImax and PEmax).

CONCLUSIONS: Inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength in both patients' groups were significantly decreased compared to controls,but the type of material used had no effect on this.In light of these findings,we think that adding the respiratory muscle training within the scope of pulmonary rehabilitation for substance abuse become important.