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Objectives: There are data from clinical samples showing that many psychiatric disorders are associated with an increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases. Clinical researches reported that the incidence of asthma has increased among individuals with psychiatric problems such as panic attacks, generalized anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. There is a limited number of studies examining the relationship between the pulmonary function test and different types of psychiatric disorders. In addition, the relationship between impaired pulmonary function and psychiatric disorders has not been fully explained. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength of adolescents who receive inpatient treatment in the psychiatric ward.
Methods: Twelve voluntary adolescents who receive inpatient treatment in Prof.Dr. Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Hospital, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department were included (6 female; mean age: 15.91±1.50 years; BMI: 27.03±5.54 kg/m2). Participants were diagnosed bipolar disorder (n=1), dissociation disorder (n=1), conduct disorder (n=2), obsessive-compulsive disorder (n=1) and major depression (n=7). Pulmonary functions were measured by a spirometer following the ATS and ERS guidelines using the Spirobank II (Medical International Research sIr Rome, Italy). Respiratory muscle strength was assessed by maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) which were measured with the subject seated, wearing a nose clip and with a plastic mouthpiece by a Micro Medical MicroRPM® (Carefusion Micromedical, Micro RPM, USA). Measurements were repeated three times and best results were recorded. Measurements were compared with the predicted values which are based on height, weight, age, gender, and ethnicity.
Results: The mean difference between measured and predicted values of FVC, FEV1, PEF, and FEF25-75% were -0.19±0.75 (L), -0.11±0.74 (L), -2.37±1.67 (L/s) and -0.70±1.12 (L/s), respectively. The measured value of MIP and MEP were lower than predicted values and the mean difference was -29.33±27.05 cmH2O for MIP and -44.33±27.06 cmH2O for MEP.
Conclusion: According to the results of this preliminary study with a small sample with different psychiatric disorders, it was found that there was a minimal decrease in pulmonary function test parameters compared to the predicted values. In addition, it was observed that the patients had decreased inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength compared to the predicted values. Further studies are needed to support these results obtained from a small number of cases and to determine the cause-effect relationship between pulmonary function test and psychiatric disorders.