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.


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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Petersen
Marian
M
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Kristensen
Ellids
E
Berg
Søren
S
Midgren
Bengt
B
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000150:complications*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications*