Open AccessDeterminants of sexual dysfunction and interventions for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: a systematic review
Author(s) -
Steinke E.,
Palm Johansen P.,
Fridlund B.,
Broström A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1742-1241
pISSN - 1368-5031
DOI - 10.1111/ijcp.12751
Subject(s) - medicine , sexual dysfunction , sexual function , erectile dysfunction , psychological intervention , cinahl , systematic review , meta analysis , female sexual dysfunction , continuous positive airway pressure , sexual desire , randomized controlled trial , physical therapy , medline , obstructive sleep apnea , psychiatry , human sexuality , gender studies , sociology , political science , law
Summary Aims Obstructive sleep apnoea ( OSA ) may negatively affect a couple's sexual relationship. This systematic review evaluated what characteristics are determinants of sexual function and dysfunction in women and men with OSA , and what interventions are shown to be effective. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL , Cochrane and TRIP , and articles published between January 2004 and December 2014 in English; original research; adults ≥ 18 years; and both experimental and non‐experimental designs. The Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies was used to assess study quality. Of 21 studies, six studies (no randomised control trials, RCT s) included women and 15 (with six RCT s) studies included men. Extracted data were scrutinised and adjusted until consensus was reached; suitable quantitative data were pooled in statistical meta‐analysis. Results Sexual function was affected similarly in both genders, but effective interventions were reported only for men. In some studies, OSA severity and medications contributed to greater sexual dysfunction. In women, menopausal status, hormone levels and SaO 2 < 90% were determinants of sexual dysfunction, while for men factors included BMI , hormonal status and inflammatory markers. Continuous positive airway pressure ( CPAP ) not only improved clinical measures such as excessive daytime sleepiness but also the erectile and orgasmic function. Nevertheless, sildenafil was superior CPAP with regard to erectile dysfunction. Conclusions The findings illustrate important contributors to sexual dysfunction; however, firm generalisations cannot be made. There were limited RCT s and none for women, indicating further RCT s are needed to determine how OSA affects sexual function.