[Menopausal status and severity of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in females].
BACKGROUND
Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is higher in postmenopausal females. The aim of this study was to compare OSA severity in postmenopausal females (group E-) and females with preserved estrogen activity (premenopausal or on hormonal replacement therapy - group E+).


METHODS
We studied 147 OSA females in mean age 58.1 +/- 9.4 years. Subjects presented obesity (BMI = 34 +/- +/- 7.9 kg/m2) and moderate or severe disease (AHI = 35.9 +/- 20.9), SaO(2) mean - 89.4 +/- 5.8%. Group (E-) consisted of 116 pts (75.5%) and group (E+) of 36 pts (24.5%).


RESULTS
Group (E+) presented more severe OSA (AHI/RDI = 42 +/- 26.6) and obesity (BMI = 37.6 +/- 10.1 kg/m(2)) when compared to group E- (AHI/RDI = 33.9 +/- 18.4; p = 0.04 and BMI - 32.8 +/- 6.7 kg/m(2); p = 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis we found significant negative correlation between AHI and age (beta = -0.29, p = 0.03). After adjustment for BMI and age (analysis of covariance) significant difference was still present between both groups (R = 0.24, p = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Majority of OSA females qualified to CPAP therapy were postmenopausal (75.5%). Severity of OSA (AHI/RDI) after adjustment for age and BMI was higher in group (E+).
Pływaczewski
Robert
R
Zakład Diagnostyki i Leczenia Niewydolności Oddychania Instytutu Gruzlicy i Chorób Płuc w Warszawie.
Bednarek
Michał
M
Bieleń
Przemysław
P
Jonczak
Luiza
L
Górecka
Dorota
D
Sliwiński
Paweł
P
D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*