Sleep Apnea Affects Sexual Function

madman

Super Moderator
ABSTRACT

Purpose:
Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by repetitive cessation of breathing during sleep. It affects different aspects of sexuality. We aimed to assess male sexual function & risk factors in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

Methods: This case-control study included 2 groups, 45 healthy volunteers as a control group and 45 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. All the participants were subjected to measurement of Body Mass Index, Full night polysomnography (only for the patient's group), and serum total testosterone, FSH, and LH. The International Index of Erectile Function-5 and Hamilton Depression Scale questionnaires were filled out for all participants.

Results: The mean scores for all sexual domains were significantly lower among the patient's group compared to the control group (p<0.01). The Hamilton score was significantly higher among the patient group compared to the control group (p<0.0001). The mean levels of Testosterone and LH were significantly lower among the patients group compared to controls (p<0.0001), There were significant correlations between disease severity and age (r=0.48, p=0.001), Body mass index (r=0.48, p=0.001), Hamilton score (r=0.34, p=0.014) International Index of Erectile Function 5 domain score (r= -0.29, p=0.045)Testosterone level (r= -0.29, p=0.046) and LH levels (r= -0.104, p=0.049).

Conclusion: We found that all domains of sexual function have been more affected in the patient's group than in the controls. Their score was inversely related to the disease severity; which in turn has a complex interaction with other factors like age, obesity, hormones, and psychological status. So when evaluating those patients, sexual dysfunction should be considered and assessed along with these factors.




1. Introduction

The main components of male sexual function include libido, erection, ejaculation, and orgasm. Numerous physical and psychological disorders affect sexual functions such as libido, erectile dysfunction, inability to ejaculate, and inability to achieve an orgasm [1].

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by repeated breath cessation during sleep as a result of upper airway collapse. It is characterized by repeated upper airway obstruction, consequent blood oxygen desaturation, and sleep fragmentation [2].

OSA prevalence ranged from 3% to 7%, with certain subgroups of the population bearing higher risk. Risk factors like age, gender, obesity, and family history are important variables [3].

Previous studies have demonstrated male sexual dysfunction in OSA but mostly mention only erection problems. A study on Caucasian men with an age range from 40 to79 years, was from the little research that addressed the whole aspects of sexual dysfunction. But it assessed slightly aged patients [4].

We, therefore, found a need to design this study to assess all the sexual functions in male patients with OSA with different age groups from 20 to 70 years old.




In conclusion, we found that all domains of sexual function as assessed by IIEF-5 have been affected in patients with OSA more than normal controls and IIEF-5 score is inversely related to the severity of OSA; as measured by AHI, which in turn has a complex interaction with other factors like hormones, obesity, age, and psychological status. So in OSA patients, sexual dysfunction should be considered and assessed by IIEF-5 along with these factors.
 

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Scientific Reference

Lakshman KM, Kaplan B, Travison TG, Basaria S, Knapp PE, Singh AB, LaValley MP, Mazer NA, Bhasin S. The effects of injected testosterone dose and age on the conversion of testosterone to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone in young and older men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Aug;95(8):3955-64.

DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-0102 | PMID: 20534765 | PMCID: PMC2913038

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