Relationship between the Severity of Sleep Apnea and of LUTS and Erectile Dysfunction.

Background: We aimed to investigate the effect of the difference in apnoea severity on the degree of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and of erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Materials and methods: Between March 2019 and June 2024, 81 patients diagnosed with OSA were included in the study. Polysomnography (PSG) reports were analysed, and patients were divided into three groups according to the apnoea-hypopnea index. PSG parameters were recorded. Patients were evaluated by urologic examination, ultrasonography, uroflowmetry and blood tests. Scales such as the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL) related to urinary symptoms and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) were used for scoring. Intergroup comparisons were made using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Chi-square test.

Results: Age, smoking, prostate-specific antigen and number of periodic leg movements per hour were not correlated with apnoea severity. Body mass index (BMI), prostate volume, minimum and maximum partial oxygen pressure, uroflowmetry parameters, IPSS, QoL, bladder wall thickness and IIEF score were correlated with OSA severity.

Conclusions: Determining the factors associated with the severity of sleep apnoea could provide insights into mitigating the adverse effects associated with OSA. Increased severity of OSA leads to increased severity of LUTS and ED.