Factors affecting self-reported sexuality in men with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

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.

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.

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.

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

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).

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.