RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EARLY MENARCHE AND RESPIRATORY MUSCLE PRESSURES IN MIDDLE AGE AND OLDER WOMEN

Abstract

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EARLY MENARCHE AND RESPIRATORY MUSCLE PRESSURES IN MIDDLE AGE AND OLDER WOMEN <b>Background:</b> Early menarche is associated with general health, such as increased&nbsp;risk of breast cancer and of developing metabolic syndrome, obesity, cardiovascular disease later in life, asthma and lower lung function in adult women. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between respiratory muscle strength and early menarche. <b>Aim:</b> To compare the means of maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP/MEP) considering the age of the menarche of middle-aged and older women living in the community of Temuco - Chile. <b>Methods:</b> Women aged between 41-80 years-old, residents of&nbsp;the community of Temuco - Chile, were included in the sample. They were divided into two groups in relation to their menarche age (&lt;13 years old; ≥13 years old), and&nbsp;they were evaluated in relation MIP/MEP using a digital manometer. We conducted the Independent Samples t test to compare MIP/MEP means between the early and non-early menarche groups. <b>Results:</b> In this cross-sectional study, 41 women comprised the study sample (mean age= 53.7; SD=9.06). Eighteen women were considered in the group of early menarche, with a mean MIP value of 90.05 cmH2O (SD 3.24) and MEP of 119.2 cmH2O (SD 7. 26) and 23 women were categorized with menarche age ≥13 years old, presenting a mean MIP of 95.17 cmH2O (SD 5.46) and MEP of 122.4 cmH20 (SD 5.40). A p value &lt; 0.05 was considered. <b>Conclusion:</b> The early menarche group presented maximal respiratory pressures lower than the group considered with non-early menarche among middle-aged and older women living in the community of Temuco - Chile.