Journal of Bangladesh Society of Physiologist · Feb 22, 2026
Inverse relationship spirometric lung functions with serum cortisol level in post-menopausal women
By Hossain R, Ferdousi S, Sultana S et al.
Background: Post-menopausal women experience hormonal changes that may result in accentuated decline in pulmonary functions as assessed by spirometry. Cortisol, a stress related glucocorticoid, has been implicated in systemic inflammation but its relation with lung functions in this population remains under explored. Objective: To observe the relationship of spirometric lung functions with serum cortisol in post-menopausal women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 post-menopausal women (age:52-60 years) with different duration of menopause (2-12 years). Lung functions (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR and FEF25-75%) were estimated by a computer-based spirometer (Spiro-tech, India) and early morning serum cortisol level was measured by Automated Analyzer method. Spearman’s rank correlation test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The spirometric measurements showed reduction in FVC, FEV1, PEFR and FEF25-75% and an increase in FEV1/FVC ratio in the participants. In this study, significant negative correlations of the percentage of predicted values of FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75% were observed with serum cortisol level (p<0.01, p<0.01 and p<0.05 respectively). FEV1/FVC ratio exhibited positive and PEFR showed negative correlation with serum cortisol level in this group of participants but both the relations were statistically non-significant. Conclusion: Spirometric lung functions were inversely related with serum cortisol level in post-menopausal women. J Bangladesh Soc Physiol 2025;20(2): 53-57