Unit:
Faculty of MedicineLibrary of the School of Health Sciences
Author:
Kyrkou Konstantina
Dissertation committee:
Δημήτρης Δικαίος (Επιβλέπων), Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Μάνος Αλχανάτης ,Ομότιμος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή ΕΚΠΑ
Κορνηλία Πουλοπούλου, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Ζακυνθινός Σπυρίδων, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ.
Σμυρνής Νικόλαος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Χρυσοφός Μιχαήλ, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Ντόμαλη Αικατερίνη, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Μελέτη των διαταραχών του ύπνου σε άνδρες μέσης παραγωγικής ηλικίας και η συσχέτιση των ευρημάτων με τη σεξουαλική υγεία κατά την διόρθωση του συνδρόμου άπνοιας στον ύπνο
Translated title:
Study of sleep disorders in men of middle productive age and the correlation of findings with sexual health during correction of sleep apnea syndrome
Summary:
Background: As the prevalence of obesity increases, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a continuous rising problem of modern societies, with important implications for public health. In the last decades, there is also a steady decline in semen quantity, known as “male infertility crisis”. Environmental and lifestyle factors have been suggested as the major contributing factors. Recent evidence has revealed a link between OSA and reduced male fertility as well as impaired erectile function. Through a comprehensive approach, we investigated the relationship between OSA and sexual and erectile function, and the role of OSA therapy by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
Methods: A total of 41 male subjects, who underwent polysomnography for suspected OSA, participated in the study. Erectile and sexual function were assessed by specific questions on sexual function, the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) questionnaire, blood samples, and sperm analysis. OSA patients after the initiation of CPAP treatment were followed for a period of 1 year, to record any changes in sexual function.
Results: Thirty-two patients were diagnosed with OSA, and 9 subjects without OSA were used as the control group. Erectile function, according to IIEF-15 score, was significantly impaired in OSA patients compared to control subjects. OSA patients had also significantly reduced levels of testosterone. Motile and immotile sperm counts were found to be reduced and marginally increased, respectively, in patients compared to controls. Multivariable regression analysis showed that BMI and IIEF score were independent determinants of AHI. After a year of CPAP therapy, OSA patients showed an improvement in their sexual functioning.
Conclusion: Our study provides further evidence regarding the association between OSA and erectile function impairment, as well as semen quality. Additionally, longitudinal adherence to CPAP treatment has a beneficial effect on erectile function.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Apnea, Erectile function, Semen, CPAP, Spermogram
Number of references:
198
