To investigate the impact of sleep quality in hypogonadal symptoms and sexual function in men working non-standard shifts.
Men treated at a single andrology clinic between July-October 2014 completed questionnaires assessing sleep quality, hypogonadal symptoms (Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male - ADAM/qADAM), and sexual function (International Index of Erectile Function - IIEF). Serum hormone levels were assessed at the time of survey completion.
182 men were identified as working non-standard shifts (work that starts before 7am or after 2pm, rotates, or regularly includes hours outside of the standard 7am to 6pm work day) with a mean±SD age of 41.1±10.8 years. Of men working non-standard shifts, those with better sleep quality had fewer hypogonadal symptoms and better sexual function. Multivariate regression analysis revealed significant linear associations between sleep quality and qADAM score (p=0.008), positive ADAM responses (p=0.003), and IIEF score (p=0.0004) were observed. When comparing individual groups, men who were "very satisfied" (n=60) with sleep quality had higher qADAM scores than men who were "somewhat dissatisfied" (p=0.02), and men who were "very dissatisfied" had significantly lower IIEF scores than men who were "very satisfied" (p=0.001) and "somewhat satisfied" (p=0.005). No associations between sleep quality and mean serum testosterone (T), free T, estrogen, DHEA, FSH, and LH levels were observed.
Men who work non-standard shifts and have poor sleep quality are at increased risk for hypogonadal symptoms and sexual dysfunction.
Urology. 2016 Dec 14 [Epub ahead of print]
Alexander W Pastuszak, Young M Moon, Jason Scovell, Justin Badal, Dolores J Lamb, Richard E Link, Larry I Lipshultz
Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. Electronic address: ., Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX., Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX., Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX., Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.