Factors affecting blood pressure profile in pre and postmenopausal women with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is an independent risk factor for development of hypertension. Epidemiological surveys have found that risk of cardiovascular diseases increased in postmenopausal women. However, it is not well known about the profiles of hypertension of women with OSAHS in their different reproductive stages. This study aimed to investigate the difference of blood pressure profile between pre and postmenopausal women with OSAHS.

Methods: Women who were tested by polysomnography (PSG) (n = 207) in Ruijin Hospital were recruited in the study. The subjects were divided into two groups of premenopausal women (24 with and 30 without OSAHS), and two groups of postmenopausal women (116 with and 37 without OSAHS). Among the groups, the differences of demographic and PSG variables were compared. The factors influencing blood pressure were further studied.

Results: The prevalence of hypertension (56.9 %) in postmenopausal OSAHS patients was higher than the other three groups. Among OSAHS patients, both average systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of postmenopausal women were higher than those of premenopausal ones [(129.9 ± 16.16 mmHg vs. 123.7 ± 18.89), (84.96 ± 9.88 mmHg vs. 78.81 ± 10.34), P = 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively], with the elevation of DBP being more pronounced. For premenopausal women, body mass index (BMI) was the only factor affecting blood pressure (p < 0.05); in postmenopausal women, BMI was a factor affecting SBP, while BMI and apnea hypopnea index (AHI) affecting DBP (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Blood pressure profile of postmenopausal women with OSAHS was affected by both BMI and AHI. But those of premenopausal ones were predominantly related to BMI.