Erectile Dysfunction and Sexual Hormone Levels in Men With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Efficacy of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

Abstract

In this study, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and serum sexual hormone levels were evaluated in men with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In these patients, the efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was determined. The 207 men (mean age 44.0±11.1years) enrolled in the study were stratified within four groups based on their apnea-hypopnea index score: simple snoring (n=32), mild OSA (n=29), moderate OSA (n=38), and severe OSA (n=108). The International Index of Erectile Dysfunction-5 (IIEF-5) score was obtained from each patient, and blood samples for the analysis of sexual hormones (prolactin, luteotropin, follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, progestin, and testosterone) were drawn in the morning after polysomnography. The IIEF-5 test and serum sexual hormone measurements were repeated after 3months of CPAP treatment in 53 men with severe OSA. The prevalence of ED was 60.6% in OSA patients overall and 72.2% in those with severe OSA. Compared with the simple snoring group, patients with severe OSA had significantly lower testosterone levels (14.06±5.62 vs. 17.02±4.68, p=.018) and lower IIEF-5 scores (16.33±6.50 vs. 24.09±1.94, p=.001). The differences in the other sexual hormones between groups were not significant. After 3months of CPAP treatment, there were no significant changes in sexual hormone levels, but the IIEF-5 score had improved significantly (18.21±4.05 vs. 19.21±3.86, p=.001). Severe OSA patients have low testosterone concentration and high ED prevalence. IIEF-5 scores increased significantly after CPAP treatment, but there was no effect on serum testosterone levels.