Influence of socio-economic and demographic factors in determining breathing patterns: a pilot study

Valdenice Aparecida De Menezes,Rossana Barbosa Leal,Marcela Motta Moura,Ana Flávia Granville-Garcia

doi:10.1016/s1808-8694(15)31179-4

Abstract

SummaryBreathing represents one of the vital functions of the organism, and its unbalance causes some series of alterations in several organs and systems.AimVerify the influence of socio-economic and demographic factors in determining breathing patterns. Study design: cross-sectional.Materials and Methodsthere were 143 students in the sample, with ages ranging from 9 and 10 years, from two schools, public and private, in the city of Recife, Pernambuco. Breathing patterns were established through two tests: Glatzel Plate (Steam) and water time in the mouth. Socio-economic factors were evaluated through questionnaires with nine questions each. Statistics were carried out by means of the Chi-Squared test or Fisher's Exact test and the significance level used was of 5%.ResultsOral breathing prevalence was of 55.2%, higher among females (57.7%) and in public schools (67.2%). Lack of medical care (62%), less use of medications (56.6%), parents with educational levels lower than high school, divorced parents (66%), students that do not live with their parents (68.7%) and homes with only one room (72%), in all of those situations, oral breathing signs were more prevalent. Only school type had significant association with the breathing pattern.ConclusionHigh levels of oral breathing without differences concerning gender and age. With the exception of school type, there was no association between breathing pattern and socio-economic factors.

Highlights

Breathing is vital; it brings oxygen to the tissues and removes carbon dioxide
The rate of divorced parents was higher among students from the public school (50.0% x 22.7%) and the contrary happened with the rate of married parents, which was higher among students from the private school (73.4% x 43.7%); as to the issue of who the children lived with, more children answered they lived with both parents among those from the private school (75.9% x 39.1%) and who lived with the mother only was higher among children from the public school (40.6% x 20.3%); a large number of people (6 or more) who lived at home tended to be higher among students from the public school (34.4% x 17.9%)
In so far as the importance of the aforementioned tests, we stress that the water dwelling in the mouth test, enough by itself to diagnose the breathing pattern when used alone, in other words, in cases in which it is not necessary to pick up the exclusive oral breather one must use the 3 minute water test, avoiding biased results which can be misinterpreted

Summary

Introduction

Breathing is vital; it brings oxygen to the tissues and removes carbon dioxide. When the air inhaled is not properly prepared to reach the lungs, it changes pulmonary mechanisms with consequent inadequate body oxygenation.[1]For nasal breathing to occur, it is necessary to have functional and anatomical integrity of the airways. Breathing is vital; it brings oxygen to the tissues and removes carbon dioxide. A simple mechanical obstruction blocking the air passage is enough for the individual to change his breathing pattern in order to keep his vital functions[2], oral breathing is considered a supplemental or pathologic breathing. The disorders caused by a temporary replacement of nasal breathing pattern are overcome by reestablishing proper breathing. The continuity of such disordered breathing may alter mastication, deglution, respiration and phonation, which will later influence the growth and development of systems[3], and will change the balance of postural and thoracic muscle forces.[4,5]

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