title: Peripheral Muscle Strength Indicates Respiratory Function Testing in Renal Recipients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Muscle wasting occurs in renal recipients due to decreased physical performance, and decreased respiratory muscle strength may occur due to changes in structure and function. Data are scarce regarding the roles of sarcopenia and nutritional status on respiratory muscle function in these patients. Here, we evaluated interactions among peripheral muscle strength, sarcopenia, nutritional parameters, and respiratory muscle function in renal transplant recipients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-nine patients were prospectively enrolled between September and April 2016 at Baskent University. Forced vital capacity values (via pulmonary function tests), respiratory muscle strength (via maximal static inspiratory and expiratory pressures), and peripheral muscle strength (via hand grip strength test) were recorded. Nutritional parameters, fat weight, arm circumference, waist circumference, and C-reactive protein levels were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 99 patients, 68 were renal transplant recipients (43 men, mean age: 39.09 ± 10.70 y) and 31 were healthy participants (14 men, mean age: 34.94 ± 10.95 y). Forced vital capacity (P < .001, r = 0.65), maximal inspiratory (P = .002, r = 0.39) and expiratory (P < .001, r = 0.4) pressure, and hand grip strength showed significant relations in transplant recipients. Positive correlations were found between serum albumin levels and both hand grip strength (P = .16, r = 0.347) and forced vital capacity (P = .03, r = 0.436). Forced vital capacity was statistically different between renal recipients and healthy participants (P = .013), whereas maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures were not (P > .05). No statistically significant relation was observed between biochemical parameters and maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (P ? .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Respiratory function and peripheral muscle strength were significantly related in renal transplant recipients, with significantly lower peripheral muscle strength suggesting the presence of inadequate respiratory function. Peripheral and respiratory muscle training and nutritional replacement strategies could help to improve postoperative respiratory function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gaye
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ulubay
authors.forename: Saliha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uyanik
authors.forename: Balam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Er Dedekarginoglu
authors.forename: Irem
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Serifoglu
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kupeli
authors.forename: Serife
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Savas Bozbas
authors.forename: Siren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sezer
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haberal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D000072277:Maximal Respiratory Pressures; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey; D014797:Vital Capacity