Sexual function in male patients with obstructive sleep apnoea
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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Marian Petersen1, Ellids Kristensen, Søren Berg
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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.
Materials And 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.
Conclusion:
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.
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