Prevalence and Characteristics of Erectile Dysfunction in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients

Chen Feng; Yan Yang; Lixiao Chen; Ruixiang Guo; Huayang Liu; Chaojie Li; Yan Wang; Pin Dong; Yanzhong Li

doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.812974

Prevalence and Characteristics of Erectile Dysfunction in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Feb 18:13:812974. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.812974. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Chen Feng^{1

2

3}, Yan Yang^{2

3}, Lixiao Chen¹, Ruixiang Guo^{2

3}, Huayang Liu^{2

3}, Chaojie Li^{2

3}, Yan Wang^{2

3}, Pin Dong¹, Yanzhong Li^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
² Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University Cheeloo College of Medicine, Jinan, China.
³ NHC Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology (Shandong University), Jinan, China.

Abstract

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common and severe social problem. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an important health concern. The prevalence of OSA with ED is increasing, which significantly affects the quality of life and work efficiency of patients. However, the mechanism underlying the comorbidity of these two diseases remains unclear.

Objectives: (1) Investigate the prevalence of OSA with ED; (2) analyze the correlation between OSA and ED; and (3) explore the treatment response to and possible mechanism of uvulapalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in patients with OSA and ED. This study aims to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of OSA with ED and improve prevention and treatment strategies.

Materials and methods: In total, 135 subjects were enrolled in the study. Clinical data, polysomnography, the ESS score, Beck anxiety score, Beck depression score, IIEF-5 score and ASEX score were recorded before UPPP and 6 months after UPPP. Sex hormones were measured for all subjects using a Roche electrochemiluminescence analyzer.

Result: The prevalence of OSA with ED was 64.52%, and the prevalence of severe OSA with ED was 73.02%. The prevalence of OSA with ED increased with age, BMI and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) value. Among polysomnography indicators, minimum oxygen saturation and average oxygen saturation may predict the occurrence of OSA with ED. Improving the patient's anxiety and depression is very important for treating OSA with ED. Sex hormone levels were not significantly correlated with the occurrence of OSA with ED.

Conclusion: ED is a common symptom of OSA patients. This study showed that sex hormone levels in OSA patients with ED were not significantly correlated with the condition, but further investigation of this relationship is worthwhile. It is recommended that the free and combined types of sex hormones be further distinguished during testing because the free type is the active form. UPPP surgical treatment is effective for OSA with ED, and its possible mechanism is protection of the peripheral nerves of the sex organs by improving nighttime hypoxia and arousal.

Keywords: IIEF-5 questionnaire; erectile dysfunction; obstructive sleep apnea; polysomnography; sex hormones.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Erectile Dysfunction* / epidemiology
Erectile Dysfunction* / etiology
Gonadal Steroid Hormones
Humans
Male
Prevalence
Quality of Life
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / complications
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / diagnosis
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / epidemiology

Substances

Gonadal Steroid Hormones