The relationship between testosterone, obesity and depressive mood in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) postmenopausal women

Abstract

Background: The relationship between respiratory sleep disorders and menopausal state in women is not well supported; only known that obese female have higher androgen levels then non-obese females.

Aim: The aim of our study was to illustrate the link between OSA severity, serum total testosterone level and depressive mood in obese postmenopausal women.

Material and method: The present study included 13 severe OSA female patients (apnea hypopnea index (AHI) >30 events/h) with obesity (body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m²), ages between 53 and 60 years, for least two years of amenorrhea. All patients fulfilled Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Serum total testosterone level (T) was performed from blood samples collected in the morning after wake up. Control group selected consisted in 10 non-OSA females with same characteristic with study group.

Results: We found significant correlations between T level and BMI (r=0.636, p=0.019), without correlation between T level and AHI or BDI (p>0.05). It was remarked a strong positive correlation between BDI score and AHI (r=0.720, p=0.006). T-test shows no differences between two groups in testosterone level (OSA group 0.757±0.28 ng/dl vs. non-OSA group 0.625±0.19 ng/dl, p=0.226), but significant differences for BDI score (OSA 9.69±5.15 vs. non-OSA 4.3±2.16, p=0.005).

Conclusion: Our study reveals no effect relationship between OSA severity and serum testosterone level. Testosterone level is positive correlated with obesity. Depressive mood is induced by OSA severity, without relation with testosterone level. More approaches are needed to elucidate androgens involvement in severe OSA postmenopausal women.