Sleep-related painful erections: clinical and polysomnographic features.
The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and the polysomnographic findings of a sample of patients affected by sleep-related painful erections (SRPE). In a 6-y period 18 patients were diagnosed as having SRPE. The mean age at the onset of the disease was 39.8 +/- 11.6 y and the mean duration of SRPE was 5.4 +/- 3.5 y. According to ICSD criteria, about 60% of patients had a severe form of the disease. None of the patients met any DSM IV Axis-I and Axis-II diagnoses. Twelve patients complained of excessive daytime sleepiness. SRPE patients, compared to age-matched controls, showed a reduced sleep efficiency, an increased wake after sleep onset and a reduced percentage of REM sleep. This study confirms that in SRPE there are no clear predisposing factors, no familial pattern, but REM sleep fragmentation. Concerning the pharmacological treatment, in the history of patients, propranolol and paroxetine, but not amitriptiline and lorazepam, showed a temporary efficacy in some patients.
Ferini-Strambi
L
L
Sleep Disorders Centre, University of Milano, Italy.
Oldani
A
A
Zucconi
M
M
Castronovo
V
V
Montorsi
F
F
Rigatti
P
P
Smirne
S
S
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009290:Narcolepsy; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010410:Penile Erection; D017286:Polysomnography; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000628:therapy; D012894:Sleep Stages; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000502:physiology*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000639:Amitriptyline; D008140:Lorazepam; D017374:Paroxetine; D011433:Propranolol; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors