Sildenafil versus continuous positive airway pressure for erectile dysfunction in men with obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of sildenafil versus continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

METHODS

This is a meta-analysis of a randomized controlled trial. The main outcome measures for effectiveness were the percentage of successful intercourse attempts, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) domain scores (erectile function, EF) and the satisfaction levels of the patients and their partners with the treatment for ED.

RESULTS

Two randomized controlled trials totaling 70 patients were included. Meta-analysis results are as follows: after 12 weeks of treatment, patients under sildenafil demonstrated a significant advantage over under CPAP in terms of the percentage of successful intercourse attempts [OR = 3.24, 95% CI (2.37-4.43)], EF scores [WMD = 3.57, 95%CI (1.68-5.45)], and the satisfaction levels of the patients and their partners with the treatment for ED [OR = 3.56, 95% CI (1.27-9.98)].

CONCLUSION

Current clinical studies might confirm that both therapeutic methods were safe and effective, but sildenafil was superior to CPAP in the treatment of ED in men with OSA. We conclude that new therapeutic agents or a combination of the two methods should be studied further.