Hyposexuality in Men with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Mun, Jun Kyu; Joo, Eun Yeon

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Hyposexuality is defined as diminished sexual drive or libido. There has been little research into the sexuality in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We investigated the prevalence and relating factors for hyposexuality in OSA men.
METHODS
Consecutive 182 male (mean age 48.3 y) were enrolled who were newly diagnosed with OSA through polysomnography. All completed Symptom checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Subjects were divided into non-hyposexuality (score 0) and hyposexuality (score > or =1) groups according to the question "Loss of sexual interest or pleasure" in SCL-90-R.
RESULTS
110 of 182 subjects (60.4%) answered hyposexuality (score > or =1). Significant correlations were found between hyposexuality and following factors; age (rho=0.248), BDI (rho=0.450), BAI (rho=0.410), ESS (rho=0.221), and percentage of non-REM stage 3 (N3%) (rho=-0.184). Apnea-hypopnea index was significantly correlated with nocturia (rho=0.320), ESS (r=0.230), N1% (r=0.596), N2% (r=-0.540), N3% (r=-0.195), and lowest oxygen saturation (r=-0.641). Comparing two groups, hyposexuality group showed significantly lowered total sleep time (380.2 min vs. 359.1 min), and sleep efficiency (83% vs. 76%). The severity of hyposexuality was correlated with BDI (rho=0.330), BAI (rho=0.253), and N3% (rho=-0.215) in subjects with hyposexuality. After controlling for age, polysomnographic parameters were not correlated with hyposexuality.
CONCLUSIONS
About half of untreated OSA male subjects reported diminished libido. Age, daytime sleepiness, mood disorders, and decreased sleep quality were associated with hyposexuality. Of these, aging process was the most important factor for hyposexuality.