Women with sleep apnea have lower levels of sex hormones.
BACKGROUND
Low levels of sex hormones, especially progesterone, are suspected as a risk factor for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).


OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that serum levels of progesterone, estradiol, and 17-OH progesterone are lower in those women with clinically significant SDB.


METHODS
Clinical cohort of convenience.


METHODS
University Hospital Sleep Laboratory.


METHODS
We investigated sleep and breathing parameters and serum levels of sex hormones in 53 consecutive women (ages 24 to 72 years) being evaluated for symptoms of daytime sleepiness. Analysis of hormonal status by specific radioimmunoassays and fluorescence immunoassays was done from blood samples taken after an overnight polysomnography.


RESULTS
Across the cohort, taking account of age and cycle time or postmenopausal status, those with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) greater than 10/hrs of sleep had significantly lower levels of 17-OH progesterone, progesterone, and estradiol than those with an AHI less than 10.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that reductions in female sex hormones are associated with an increased probability of SDB in women with daytime sleepiness.
Netzer
Nikolaus C
NC
Department of Medicine, Center for Sleep Disorders Research, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. nikinetzer@yahoo.com
Eliasson
Arn H
AH
Strohl
Kingman P
KP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D012307:Risk Factors; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones