Effect of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on sexual function and serum testosterone in males with type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnoea

Arthur Knapp, Paul C. Myhill, Wendy A. Davis, Kirsten E. Peters, David Hillman, Emma J. Hamilton, Ee Mun Lim, Timothy M.E. Davis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective There have been no studies of the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on erectile dysfunction (ED) and serum testosterone in men with type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a patient group at increased risk of ED and hypogonadism. The aim of this study was to determine whether CPAP improves sexual and gonadal function in males with type 2 diabetes and a pre-CPAP apnoea-hypopnoea index >15/h. Design Substudy of a trial assessing the effect of 3 months of CPAP on cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes. Patients Of 35 males starting CPAP, 27 (mean ± SD age 65·4 ± 9·6 years, median [interquartile range] diabetes duration 12·1 [5·2-15·3] years) completed the trial. Measurements Serum total and free testosterone, responses to the Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Aale (ADAM) and Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaires. Results There were no significant changes in mean total or free testosterone (baseline concentrations 12·7 ± 4·5 nm and 0·26 ± 0·07 pm, respectively), or SHIM score (baseline 13 [5-17]), after 3 months of CPAP (P > 0·20). The ADAM score (baseline 6·2 ± 2·1) fell after 1 month (to 5·0 ± 2·6) and was maintained at this level at 3 months (P = 0·015). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale score decreased and self-reported physical activity increased over 3 months (P ≤ 0·017) without a change in body mass index (P = 1·00). Conclusions These findings imply that CPAP therapy improves somnolence and promotes exercise in men with type 2 diabetes, but that there is no direct benefit for gonadal or sexual function.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)254-258
Number of pages5
JournalClinical Endocrinology
Volume81
Issue number2
Early online date28 Jan 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2014

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on sexual function and serum testosterone in males with type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnoea'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this