Does CPAP therapy improve erectile dysfunction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to examine the quality of the characteristics of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in men with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) and to investigate whether there is an improvement with the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.


METHODS
Fifteen men with OSAS and sexual dysfunction have been investigated in this follow-up study. The treatment period was for 12 weeks and the therapeutic CPAP levels were determined during the full night of the therapeutic titration.


RESULTS
In our 15 treated patients, the International Index Erectile Function (IIEF) total and all domain scores had increased after the CPAP treatment compared to the baseline, except for that of sexual desire domain.


CONCLUSIONS
CPAP therapy can improve the sexual function in ED patients with OSAS.
Karkoulias
K
K
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pneumology, University Hospital of Rio-Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece.
Perimenis
P
P
Charokopos
N
N
Efremidis
G
G
Sampsonas
F
F
Kaparianos
A
A
Patouchas
D
D
Tsiamita
M
M
Spiropoulos
K
K
D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome