Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
07:54
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
The association between obstructive sleep apnoea and erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Karl H Pang1,2, King Sum Tong3,4, Asif Muneer1,5,6
1Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, UK.
International Journal of Impotence Research
|July 6, 2026
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea severity is moderately linked to erectile dysfunction severity. Lower oxygen saturation and higher apnea-hypopnea index correlate with worse erectile function, highlighting the need for screening.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Sleep Medicine
- Cardiology
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are common conditions with a recognized link.
- The precise correlation between the severity of OSA and ED requires further quantification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze existing literature.
- To determine the correlation between OSA severity markers (apnea-hypopnea index, minimum oxygen saturation) and ED severity (International Index of Erectile Function scores).
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Scopus following PRISMA guidelines.
- Inclusion of eight studies meeting PECOS criteria, with meta-analysis on pooled data from 594 (for AHI) and 513 (for SpO2) patients.
- Utilized validated International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) instruments for ED assessment.
Main Results:
- A significant, moderate negative correlation was found between apnea-hypopnea index and IIEF scores (pooled Fisher's Z = -0.43).
- A significant positive correlation was observed between minimum oxygen saturation and IIEF scores (pooled Fisher's Z = 0.36).
- ED prevalence in OSA patients ranged from 59.0% to 69.0%; age was a confounder, and CPAP showed potential ED improvement.
Conclusions:
- A significant correlation exists between OSA severity markers and ED severity.
- Screening for OSA in men with ED is recommended, considering the high prevalence and identified correlations.
- Further research is needed to address heterogeneity and variations in ED assessment tools.
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