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Two cases of sleep-disordered breathing in climacteric
T Watanabe1, A Mikami, M Motonishi
1Department of Neuropsychiatry, Osaka University Medical School, Japan.
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
|June 17, 1998
Summary
Sleep-disordered breathing can affect women, particularly during menopause. Hormone replacement therapy may alleviate symptoms and upper airway resistance, though arousal incidence may persist.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Otolaryngology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is often underdiagnosed in women, especially during the climacteric (menopausal) transition.
- This study investigates two cases of SDB in menopausal women, focusing on upper airway resistance and obstructive patterns.
Observation:
- Polysomnography with esophageal pressure (Pes) measurement was used to assess breathing disturbances.
- Case 1 presented with upper airway resistance syndrome; Case 2 had obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with concurrent upper airway resistance.
Findings:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) improved overall clinical symptoms in both cases.
- While Pes nadir improved in Case 1, breathing-disturbance-induced arousals did not significantly decrease.
- HRT demonstrated a potential to reduce upper airway resistance.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider SDB in menopausal women presenting with sleep disturbances.
- Esophageal pressure measurement and arousal evaluation are crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
- HRT may be a viable therapeutic option for managing SDB and associated upper airway resistance in this demographic.