Sexual functions of men with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and hypogonadism may improve upon testosterone administration: a pilot study.
This study examined 72 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), confirmed by polysomnography. Thirty-two patients were suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED) assessed by IIEF-5 questionnaires and confirmed by nocturnal penile tumescence examination. Their testosterone levels were measured. Eight patients had normal testosterone levels and were treated with a PDE-5 inhibitor (vardenafil) only; after 6 months of treatment, 6 of these patients (75%) showed significant improvement in erectile function. The remaining 24 patients with OSAS, ED and hypogonadism (total testosterone <12 nmol l(-1)), were divided into two groups based on the indication for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy: five patients received CPAP therapy (group 1) and 19 patients did not (group 2). The patients of group 2 received only a PDE-5 inhibitor (vardenafil 20 mg) for ED; and eight patients (42%) showed an improvement after 3 months of treatment. The five patients receiving CPAP therapy were treated with a combination of parenteral testosterone undecanoate and a PDE-5 inhibitor (vardenafil) and all had normal erectile function after 3 months of therapy. The results suggest positive effects of addition of testosterone to treatment with PDE-5 inhibitors in hypogonadal men with OSAS, which should be confirmed in larger controlled studies.
Zhuravlev
V N
VN
Ural State Medical Academy, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation.
Frank
M A
MA
Gomzhin
A I
AI
D000328:Adult; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013739:Testosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069058:Vardenafil Dihydrochloride
D007093:Imidazoles; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D013450:Sulfones; D014227:Triazines; D013739:Testosterone; D000069058:Vardenafil Dihydrochloride; C010792:testosterone undecanoate