Effect of PAP Compliance on Sexual Quality of Life.

SESSION TITLE: Quality & Clinical Improvement ISESSION TYPE: Original Investigation SlidePRESENTED ON: Sunday, October 26, 2014 at 04:30 PM - 05:30 PMPURPOSE: Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is highly prevalent (22-64%) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. Previous studies have reported improvement of ED with treatment of OSA with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. However, patients using PAP may find themselves less sexually attractive when they picture themselves with a hose and mask, PAP use may also interfere with foreplay. The idea of a using a bulky device with a mask in the bedroom can have a negative influence on sexual quality which in turn can affect CPAP compliance. We aimed to study if Sexual Quality of Life (SQOL) is different between compliant and noncompliant patients.METHODS: All consecutive patients with OSA who were on PAP therapy were screened and enrolled for the study at VA in North Chicago. All participants filled Sexual Life Quality Questionnaire (SLQQ), a standardized questionnaire with 10 questions pertaining to physical and emotional aspects of love making. Each questions was answered from a scale of 1 to 8 with a maximum sexual quality of life score (SQOL) of 80. Compliance data for PAP device was analyzed. Patients were determined to be compliant if usage of PAP was >4 hours per night for 70% of days. Recorded confounding variables affecting SQOL score were age, BMI, presence of depression, erectile dysfunction and use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors.RESULTS: Total 52 patients participated; compliant (n=27) and noncompliant (n=25). Both groups were similar in age (59.4 vs 55.6,p=.053), BMI (34.8 vs 32.2,p=0.11), ED (48% vs 51%, p=0.57), use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors (40% vs 59%, p=0.27), and presence of depression (40% vs 60%, p=0.42). SQOL scores were not significant between compliant vs noncompliant group (37.8+17.5 vs 48.3+20.7, P=0.053). In linear regression model, while adjusting for all confounding variables, compliance to PAP does not predict SQOL (p=0.12).CONCLUSIONS: It appears that PAP compliance does not affect sexual quality of life in patients with sleep apnea. Despite the unsexy presence of PAP device in the bedroom, patients not compliant with CPAP do not have a better sexual quality of life than patients compliant with CPAP.CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results of this study will serve to reduce any false preconceived notion about CPAP and its negative impact on sexual quality of life.DISCLOSURE: The following authors have nothing to disclose: Salman Alim, Rashid Nadeem, Imtiaz Kadri, Sipan Mathevosian, Vinod Khatri, Jose Antony Paul, Ahmet Copur, Ashok FulambarkerNo Product/Research Disclosure Information.