STUDY OBJECTIVES:

To examine intimate and sexual relationships in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the association with daytime sleepiness, and the change in these outcomes with continuous positive airway pressure treatment (CPAP).

DESIGN:

Pre-post test, quasi-experimental study.

SETTING:

Seven sleep disorders centers in the U.S. and Canada.

PARTICIPANTS:

123 males with OSA (AHI > or =20), aged 21 to 60 years.

INTERVENTIONS:

Nasal CPAP for > or =3 months.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS:

Compared to normal values, at baseline patients were significantly sleepier, as measured by the Multiple Sleep Latency Test and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. They were also more impaired in intimate and sexual relationships, as measured by the Intimate and Sexual Relationships subscale of the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire. Neither race nor marital status was significantly associated with impaired intimate and sexual relationships. Following treatment, patients were significantly more alert and had reported improved intimate and sexual relationships, with the greatest change occurring in those with the most disease severity.

CONCLUSIONS:

OSA has an adverse impact on intimate and sexual relationships that is related to subjective sleepiness and improved with CPAP treatment.