The Relationship of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Erectile Dysfunction in Patients Referred to Specialized Sleep Clinic

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was investigating the relationship of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients referred to specialized sleep clinic. Methods: 77 patients with chief complain of erectile dysfunction referred to one specialized sleep clinic by urologists or legal authorities were investigated if they had obstructive sleep apnea. They were monitored for 8 hours in view of erection, apnea, electrocardiogram, pulse oximetry and polysomnography. Findings: Tests confirmed that erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea had no meaningful relationship (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In our study, the relationship between erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea was not meaningful but we understood that some psychological factors are effective for erectile dysfunction. It is suggested to study organic factors responsible for erectile dysfunction.

Keywords

• Obstructive sleep Apnea (OSA)
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Organic factors