title: Rhinitis and snoring as risk factors for hypertension in post-menopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several studies have suggested an association between snoring and hypertension. An association between rhinitis and hypertension has been recently indicated in men but not in women. Since menopausal status is an important determinant of blood pressure, we evaluated the relationship between rhinitis, snoring and blood pressure taking into account the modifying effect of menopausal status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four areas of Italy: the Po river Delta, Pisa (Tuscany), Viterbo (Lazio) and Rome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected by a questionnaire and a medical visit.
  
  
  METHODS
  One thousand five hundred and fifty-four female non-smokers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly related to both occasional and habitual snoring in the overall sample. No associations were found between SBP, snoring, and rhinitis in pre-menopausal women. Both occasional and habitual snoring, but not rhinitis, were significant risk factors for increased SBP in women who stopped menstruating fewer than 11 years previously (beta=10.27 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI)=3.5, 17.01 and beta=9.91 mmHg, 95% CI=2.3, 17.5, respectively). However, women who had been menopausal for more than 11 years were found to have an increased SBP if they were occasional snorers (beta=8.94 mmHg 95% CI=1.2, 16.6) or habitual snorers (beta=8.01 mmHg, 95% CI=0.10, 15.9). The increase in SBP was even greater in these women when habitual snoring was associated with rhinitis (beta=11.96 mmHg, 95% CI=1.01, 22.9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that the association of snoring with rhinitis may facilitate the development of apnea during sleep, which in post-menopausal women may increase the risk of developing hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Fisiopatologia Respiratoria, Università Cattolica, Rome, Italy. gmcorbo@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Giuseppe M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Corbo
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forastiere
authors.forename: Nera
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Agabiti
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baldacci
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Farchi
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pistelli
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simoni
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Viegi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D017697:Premenopause; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012913:Snoring / Q000453:epidemiology*