Title : Utilising diaphragm ultrasound to investigate correlation between skeletal muscle mass and diaphragm thickness
Abstract:
Diaphragm Ultrasound (DUS) has tremendous clinical value due to its non-invasive nature. Previous studies showed significant differences in diaphragm thickness between gender. However, the relationship between diaphragm thickness and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) has not been established in healthy subjects. Sixty-three subjects (33 males, 30 females; aged 22.14 ± 3.41) were recruited to perform body composition analysis. Ultrasound imaging were performed during quiet breathing (QB) and deep breathing (DB) to investigate the diaphragm thickness. Pearson correlation was performed to investigate the relationship between SMM and diaphragmatic ultrasound findings. For QB, mean diaphragm thickness during inspiration is 2.43 mm ± 0.82 and expiration is 1.92 mm ± 0.61. For DB, mean diaphragm thickness during inspiration is 4.30 mm ± 1.05 and expiration is 2.11mm ± 0.56. There is moderate correlation between SMM and diaphragm thickness during deep breathing inspiration (range of r=0.30-0.55, all p<0.05). This study demonstrated the diaphragm thickness was thicker in those with heavier skeletal muscle mass. The diaphragm thickness can be accurately measured and may be a useful indicator clinically.
