Evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea in menopausal women

Aim: In our study, we have aimed to regularize the correlation of menopause and neuroendocrine hormonal changes with OSAS separately from risk factors such as depression and treatments of the cases in which the diesase has been determined.Method: 194 cases followed with the menopause diagnosis at Dokuz Eylul University Medical Faculty (DEUMF) Hospital Outpatient Polyclinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and a multiple choice survey which includes questions about demographic information, menopause and OSAS symptoms were applied to all cases. TSH, T3, T4, FSH,LH, E2, prolactin, SHBG; DHEA, testosterone and free testosterone levels were measured from all cases.14 cases who got 10 and more than 10 points in ESS spent one night in DEUMF Hospital Sleep Center and their PSG records were taken.Results: In our study, OSAS prevalence in postmenopausal cases was detected as 6.21. 28.6 % of 12 cases with OSAS was mild and 57.2 % of them was moderate OSAS. Average total sleep time of 14 cases was detected to be 398.5 minutes, sleep efficiency was 84.5 %, the lowest oxygen saturation 81.6 %and AHI was 23.9. Conservative measures for 3 cases and CPAP for 9 cases were suggested as treatment. The average pressure of recommended CPAP treatment for cases was 7.1 mmHg.No correlation was determined between vasomotor smptoms and OSAS whereas a correlation was determined among BMI, OSAS symptoms, LH, prolactin, E2 and free testosterone levels.Conclusion: OSAS risk rises during menopause. The fact that menopause is an independent risk factor for OSAS should not be forgotten and more detailed research should be carried out with PSG in necessary cases.