Sexual function in male patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to investigate general and functional aspects of sexuality in male patients with a confirmed diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and compare the results with normative data.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We investigated 308 male patients (age 30-69) admitted to a sleep laboratory and receiving a diagnosis of OSA, using questions drawn from two self-administered questionnaires on sexuality [Fugl-Meyer Life satisfaction checklist (LiSat) and Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI)].

RESULTS

We found that both general (Fugl-Meyer LiSat) and functional (BSFI) aspects of sexuality were worse in patients with (untreated) OSA when compared with normative data. Both aspects were dependent on age, obesity, social factors and concomitant medication but not on the severity of OSA as reflected by the apnoea-hypopnoea index or subjective sleepiness.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that although sexual dysfunction is more prevalent in OSA patients than in the general population, it is a complex problem relating more to age, obesity, social factors and comorbidity than to the severity of OSA.