The effect of
sleep apnea on the reproductive function of obese men is not entirely elucidated. The objective of this study was to define the effect of
sleep apnea on the reproductive
hormones and sexual function in obese men. This study included 89 severely obese men with BMI ≥35 kg/m2 considering
gastric bypass surgery. Anthropometrics (weight, and BMI), reproductive
hormones, and sleep studies were measured. The sexual quality of life was assessed using the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite questionnaire (IWQOL-Lite). The mean age of our patients was 46.9 ± 11.0 years, the mean BMI was 47.8 ± 8.7 kg/m2 and the mean weight was 337.7 ± 62.4 lb. After correction for age and BMI, means of free
testosterone per severity group of
sleep apnea were as follows: no or mild
sleep apnea 74.4 ± 3.8 pg/ml, moderate
sleep apnea 68.6 ± 4.2 pg/ml, and severe
sleep apnea 60.2 ± 2.92 pg/ml, P = 0.014. All other parameters of
sleep apnea including hypopnea index, percent time below a SpO2 of 90%, and percent time below a SpO2 of 80% were also negatively correlated with
testosterone levels after correction for age and BMI. BMI and presence of
coronary artery disease decreased the sexual quality of life.
Sleep apnea was associated with reduced sexual quality of life. In summary,
sleep apnea negatively affects
testosterone levels independent of BMI. Severely obese men had decreased sexual quality of life.