The Relationship Between Bone Mineral Density and Sympathetic Skin Response in Postmenopausal Women

Objective: Osteoporosis (OP) is a common condition characterized by decreased bone mass. The sympathetic nervous system is involved in bone remodeling and vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women. This study aimed to assess the relationship, using sympathetic skin response (SSR) measurements, between autonomic dysfunction and OP in postmenopausal women experiencing vasomotor symptoms. Materials and Methods: A total of 101 postmenopausal women aged 45-65 with complaints of hot flashes and sweating were included. The study was a single-center, cross-sectional, observational investigation. Based on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry results, participants were categorized into OP, osteopenia, and normal groups. SSR latencies and amplitudes, recorded bilaterally from hands and feet, were compared among the groups. Correlations between bone mineral density (BMD) and SSR results were analyzed. Results: There were no significant differences in SSR latencies between the groups (p>0.05). Although SSR amplitudes were lowest in the OP group, the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). No significant correlation was found between BMD scores and SSR measurements (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study found no association between autonomic dysfunction, as indicated by SSR responses, and BMD scores in postmenopausal women.