[Analysis of Respiratory Variables During Sleep in a Sample of Women in Perimenopause: a retrospective cross-sectional study]

Our objective was to analyze some obstructive respiratory variables during sleep in women considering the perimenopausal age range, between 40 to 58 years old. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study, consisting of analysis of reports of polysomnographies performed in women. The studies were divided by age into three groups: Group G1, G2, and G3. Data from the general series and intergroup differences were analyzed. Respiratory variables evaluated were the obstructive apneas-hypopneas index per hour of sleep (AHI) in total and REM, as well as the minimum and mean oxygen saturation. Continuous variables were expressed as mean and standard deviation (SD). Nominal variables were expressed as percentages with contingency for each analyzed variable. Significant p-value <0.5. Results: The total number of polysomnography reports analyzed in women in perimenopause was 145. Age in G1 was 40-46, G2=47-52, and G3=53-58. The total AHI was G1=5±6 events/hour, G2=8±13 events/hour, and G3=12±18 events/hour, with p=0.001. The AHI in REM phase was G1=15±6, G2=17±23, and G3=14±6 events/hour. The mean minimum saturation was G1=89±5%, G2=82±15%, and G3=84±8%, p=0.05. Conclusions: We found a statistically significant difference in the total AHI, and also a trend toward a decrease in the minimum oxygen saturation as women age. This is the first national study considering this period of a woman's life to analyze obstructive events during sleep.