Respiratory muscle strength and physical fitness in hypertensive elderly women with excessive daytime sleepiness

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to inquire whether excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) affects functional capacity (FC) and respiratory muscle strength in elderly hypertensive patients. Thirty-two elderly hypertensive female patients were divided into two groups (with EDS, n=17, mean age 64.9±5.3; without EDS, n=15, mean age 65.9±5.5) and were assessed as to respiratory muscle strength by spirometry; FC, by the Questionnaire on limitations in physical activities and by functional fitness tests; physical activity level, by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire; degree of EDS, by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale; sleep quality, by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; and intensity of snoring by the Stanford Snoring Scale. Both groups were homogenous as to anthropometric and hypertension features and were statistically compared as to sleep parameters, maximal respiratory pressures, level of physical activity, and FC. Significant differences were found in sleep quality (p=0.03), showing very poor sleep quality of the group hypertension with EDS; but no significant differences were found as to maximal respiratory pressures, or at the FC tests. Hence the strength of respiratory muscles is not altered due to the presence of EDS in elderly hypertensive women and sleepiness does not seem to interfere in functional capacity.