Factors affecting self-reported sexuality in men with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is known to induce erectile dysfunction and to reduce overall sexual satisfaction in affected men. Data on the effects of disease severity and other contributing factors such as the age of the patient are missing.


OBJECTIVE
To compare self-reported sexuality in men with newly diagnosed sleep apnea with a group of disease-free men, and to evaluate the impact of disease severity and age on the response pattern.


METHODS
Self-reported erectile function, desire, and frequencies for petting, tenderness, masturbation, sexual intercourse, and overall satisfaction with sexuality over a recall period of 3 months.


METHODS
A prospective survey in men admitted to a multidisciplinary sleep center using a standardized validated German questionnaire.


RESULTS
One hundred-sixteen men 51.1 +/- 11.4 years (mean +/- standard deviation) with OSAS (OSAS+) and 42 men age 46.6 +/- 13.7 years without OSAS (OSAS-) completed the survey. OSAS+ men were older (P = 0.01) and more often divorced (P = 0.048). OSAS was significantly associated with erection problems (P = 0.024) and decreased overall sexual satisfaction (P = 0.04). In contrast disease severity did affect masturbation frequency only (P = 0.02), whereas patient age affected erection (P = 0.001), and the desire for tenderness (P = 0.02) and intercourse (P = 0.0003).


CONCLUSIONS
Patient age might be a more important factor affecting sexuality in men with sleep apnea than the disease severity. Future studies assessing sexuality in men with OSAS should include age as an additional variable.
Stannek
Tobias
T
Kompetenzzentrum Gesundheit und Alter-Geriatrische Klinik, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Hürny
Christoph
C
Schoch
Otto D
OD
Bucher
Thomas
T
Münzer
Thomas
T
D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008418:Masturbation / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires