title: Sexual dysfunction in obese women: does obstructive sleep apnea play a role?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is diagnosed when an impairment in the sexual response cycle is associated with distress in women. The association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and FSD has been poorly investigated with conflicting results.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the role of OSA in determining FSD in pre menopausal obese women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six women underwent standard polysomnography. Data on sexual function and sexual-related distress were obtained using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS). Women with both abnormal FSFI and FSDS scores were classified as having FSD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-one women were classified as having OSA. Fourteen (30.4%) women had both sexual difficulties and sexual distress resulting in FSD; they showed higher values of sleep time spent with SpO(2) <90% (T(90) 16.8 ± 24.4 vs. 3.2 ± 5.2%; p = 0.004). FSD was present in 10 women with OSA (32.2%); in this group T(90) was higher (23.5 ± 26.3) in women with FSD than in those without FSD (4.8 ± 5.8; p = 0.003). In a logistic multiple regression analysis, T(90) was the only factor associated with an increased risk for FSD (odds ratio [OR] 1.07) (confidence interval [CI]) 1.006-1.13]; p = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In premenopausal obese women the presence of FSD is correlated with OSA only when nocturnal hypoxia is present.
authors: Sleep Center, Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri IRCCS, Scientific Institute of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. francesco.fanfulla@fsm.it
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Fanfulla
authors: Antonella
authors: A
authors: Camera
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Fulgoni
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Chiovato
authors: Rossella E
authors: RE
authors: Nappi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017286:Polysomnography; D017697:Premenopause; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*