Short-term effects of continuous positive airway pressure on sex hormones in men and women with sleep apnoea syndrome

Andrologia. 2014 May;46(4):386-90. doi: 10.1111/and.12092. Epub 2013 Mar 30.

Abstract

Patients with sleep apnoea syndrome (SAS) suffer from symptoms of hypogonadism. Besides surgical interventions, in some cases, the standard care of SAS for most patients is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Studies focusing on the long-term effects of CPAP on testosterone levels revealed conflicting results. None of the studies included female patients with SAS. The aim of our study was to analyse and compare sex hormone levels in saliva before and after a night without and with CPAP in women and men with SAS. The results were negative. One night with CPAP did not affect the dynamics of sex hormones, neither in men nor in women. Future studies should focus on long-term effects of CPAP in both genders.

Keywords: Nasal CPAP; obesity; saliva; sleep apnoea syndrome; testosterone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure*
  • Female
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Saliva / chemistry
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / therapy*
  • Testosterone / blood

Substances

  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Testosterone