Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic and common adult disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of upper-airway obstruction and reopening during sleep. OSA is associated with intermittent hypoxia, sympathetic overactivity, oxidative stress and high cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. It is known to be more common in men than women, partly due to differences in anatomy and functional respiratory components. There are also gender differences in reported symptoms, leading to potential under-diagnosis in females. This gender difference tends to decrease after menopause, demonstrating a role of menopausal status itself in OSA phenotypes. Aging, fat mass distribution, sex hormones and upper-airway collapsibility are postulated to play a major role in these findings. This review focuses on the most recent studies exploring gender differences in the prevalence, pathogenesis and clinical features of OSA. It discusses the role of menopause in this, and explore the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

Perger, E., Mattaliano, P., Lombardi, C. (2019). Menopause and Sleep Apnea. MATURITAS, 124, 35-38 [10.1016/j.maturitas.2019.02.011].

Menopause and Sleep Apnea

Perger E.
Primo
;
Mattaliano P.;Lombardi C.
2019

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic and common adult disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of upper-airway obstruction and reopening during sleep. OSA is associated with intermittent hypoxia, sympathetic overactivity, oxidative stress and high cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. It is known to be more common in men than women, partly due to differences in anatomy and functional respiratory components. There are also gender differences in reported symptoms, leading to potential under-diagnosis in females. This gender difference tends to decrease after menopause, demonstrating a role of menopausal status itself in OSA phenotypes. Aging, fat mass distribution, sex hormones and upper-airway collapsibility are postulated to play a major role in these findings. This review focuses on the most recent studies exploring gender differences in the prevalence, pathogenesis and clinical features of OSA. It discusses the role of menopause in this, and explore the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.
Articolo in rivista - Review Essay
Gender; Menopause; Sleep apnea; Sleep-related breathing disorders; Adiposity; Age Factors; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Menopause; Pharyngeal Muscles; Prevalence; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Factors; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive;
English
2019
124
35
38
none
Perger, E., Mattaliano, P., Lombardi, C. (2019). Menopause and Sleep Apnea. MATURITAS, 124, 35-38 [10.1016/j.maturitas.2019.02.011].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/321556
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