Effect of serum estrogen levels on sleep habits of females

Objectives: To evaluate the sleep habits in pre and postmenopausal females and to find out the relationship between sex hormones and sleep habits

Study design: Cross sectional study

Place and duration: The study was conducted in Islamic International Medical College Rawalpindi and was completed in 1 year [1[st] March 2010 to 28[th] February 2011]

Methodology: A total of 60 females were randomly selected out of which 30 were premenopausal [Group] and 30 were postmenopausal [Group B] females. The sleep habits were assessed by sleep questionnaire and blood sample was taken for serum estrogen levels and were analyzed by enzyme-linked fluorescent immunoassay [ELFA] technique

Results: The comparison between pre and postmenopausal females was done on the basis of their sleep habits and statistically significant results were found which showed that postmenopausal females had lesser sleep duration than premenopausal females [p=0.011]. Postmenopausal females had more frequency of nocturnal arousals than premenopausal females [p<0.01], postmenopausal females awoke in morning without an alarm while most of the premenopausal females needed an alarm to woke up [p= 0.000] and postmenopausal females woke up earlier in the morning than premenopausal females [p=0.000]. Serum estrogen levels of postmenopausal females were lower than premenopausal females [p= 0.000]

Conclusions: The study revealed that the serum estrogen levels affect the sleep pattern of females across the menstrual cycle and menopause. As the serum estrogen levels decline after menopause; the sleep habits of females get affected and have relatively poor sleep quality as compared to premenopausal females

cross sectional study to assess the association between serum testosterone levels and BMI in the adult age group

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the association between serum testosterone levels and Body mass index [BMI] in the adult age group

STUDY DESIGN: It was a randomized cross sectional study

PLACE AND DURATION: The study was carried out at the Physiology Department of Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi from March 2010 to March 11

METHODS: The sample size was 56 male medical students [aged 18-25 years]. Serum total testosterone

levels were analyzed by Enzyme Linked Immunofluorescent Assay technique. Height and weight of all the students were measured using calibrated scales. Body Mass Index [BMI = Weight in kg/ Height in square meters] was calculated for each student. The positive and negative control samples were used with each batch to make sure the quality of results

RESULTS: The serum total testosterone levels decrease with the increase in BMI in the male adults aged 18-25 years. The mean serum testosterone levels of the adult males having mean BMI of 21.52 +/-2.01 were 6.92+/-2.06 [ng/ml] [p=0.000]. Those having mean BMI of 27.03+/-1.30 the serum testosterone levels were 6.72+/- 2.04 [ng/ml] [p=0.001]. In case of 35.14 +/-2.31 BMI, the levels were 6.37+/-0.19 [ng/ml] [p=0.039]

CONCLUSION: In the adult age group serum total testosterone levels were significantly negatively related to BMI