This study aimed to evaluate pulmonary function measurements and respiratory muscle parameters in patients with major
burn injury and
smoke inhalation. The inclusion criteria included patients who were diagnosed with a
smoke inhalation burn or a major
burn of more than 20% of total body surface area (TBSA). All subjects underwent a pulmonary function test, respiratory muscle strength test, peak
cough flow and fluoroscopic diaphragmatic movement measurement, and 6-minute walk test before starting pulmonary rehabilitation. Evaluations were conducted on the 88th day after the injury, the average time of admission to the Department of the Rehabilitation Medicine for
burn rehabilitation after the completion of the acute treatment. The average degree of
burns of the total 67 patients was 34.6% TBSA. All parameters in the patient group were significantly lower than the healthy controls, and a mild restrictive pattern of impairment with a reduction in diffusing capacity and more reduced expiratory muscle, than inspiratory muscle strength were observed. Peak
cough flow, respiratory muscle strength, and forced vital capacity in the patient group with
inhalation burn were significantly lower than in those without
inhalation burn. The conditions of the majority of patients with major
burn and inhalation injury were consistent with restrictive impairment and significant reduction in diffusion capacity. The patients had expiratory
muscle weakness, decreased diaphragmatic movement, and exercise capacity impairment.