[Role of maximal inspiratory pressure in the evaluation of respiratory muscle strength in asthmatics - Systematic review].
Asthma is a chronic illness of the airways that can reduce respiratory muscle strength due to the resulting hyperinflation or treatment with corticosteroids. One of the ways to evaluate this respiratory muscular weakness is the Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (PImax).


METHODS
A systematic review of the databases PUBMED/MEDLINE, LILACS and SCIELO was carried through, using the key words: Asthma, respiratory muscle and muscle strength.


RESULTS
Fifty were found and six articles that evaluated the PImax in asthmatics, from these, thirty were excluded, making a total of twenty six articles.


CONCLUSIONS
Through the present revision we show the effectiveness of PImax in evaluating respiratory muscle strength in asthmatics. More studies are needed, however, for better understanding of the asthmatic individual.
Cavalcante Marcelino
Alessandra M F
AM
Fisioterapeuta, Especialista em Fisioterapia em UTI pela Faculdade Redentor/Pulmocárdio, Mestre em Patologia pela Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Docente do IMIP.
Justino da Silva
Hilton
H
D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation; D053580:Muscle Strength; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*