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An interdisciplinary weight loss and lifestyle intervention increases circulating testosterone concentrations and improves scores on the intimate relationships and sexual activity subdomain of the FOSQ in men with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea.

Q: What was the main finding of the INTERAPNEA trial regarding testosterone?

The intervention group showed significantly higher plasma testosterone levels at 8 weeks and 6 months compared to usual care, with between-group differences of 77.6 ng/dL and 90.4 ng/dL, respectively.

Q: Did the intervention improve sexual activity scores?

Yes, scores on the intimate relationships and sexual activity subdomain of the FOSQ increased significantly in the intervention group at both 8 weeks and 6 months.

Q: What population was studied in this trial?

Men with overweight or obesity and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, with a total sample size of 89 participants.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

The sexual activity measure used (FOSQ subdomain) does not assess erectile function, libido, or validated male sexual function domains. The findings are exploratory, and the study lacked comprehensive endocrine profiling.

In a randomized trial of 89 men with overweight/obesity and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, an 8-week interdisciplinary weight loss and lifestyle intervention led to higher plasma testosterone at 8 weeks (between-group difference 77.6 ng/dL, p=0.042) and at 6 months (90.4 ng/dL, p=0.027) compared to usual care. FOSQ intimate relationships and sexual activity scores also improved at both time points (1.0 and 0.8 points, p<0.005). Changes correlated with favorable changes in sleep quality, body weight, and body composition.

Last updated: Jul 20, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score44/100

Human RCT★★☆☆☆

Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆

Mechanism★★★★★

Safety★★★★☆

Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Impact of an interdisciplinary weight loss and lifestyle intervention on testosterone and scores for sexual activity on the FOSQ in men with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea: secondary analyses of data from the INTERAPNEA randomized trial.

observational

Herrera-Quintana L, Vázquez-Lorente H, Ruiz JR, Amaro-Gahete FJ, Carneiro-Barrera A · Maturitas (2026)

Participants: N/A

Duration: 8 weeks intervention with 6-month follow-up

Intervention: 8-week interdisciplinary weight loss and lifestyle intervention

Outcome: Plasma testosterone concentration (ng/dL) and scores on the intimate relationships and sexual activity subdomain of the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ)

Effect Size: Between-group difference in testosterone: 77.6 ng/dL at 8 weeks, 90.4 ng/dL at 6 months; FOSQ subdomain: 1.0 at 8 weeks, 0.8 at 6 months

Population: Men with overweight or obesity and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (n=89)

Result:

PubMed: 42456328 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2026.109045

Mechanism Graph

Intervention reduces body weight and improves body composition

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Improved sleep quality and reduced apnea severity

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Favorable metabolic and hormonal changes

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Increased circulating testosterone and improved sexual activity scores

Limitations

⚠FOSQ intimate relationships and sexual activity subdomain does not assess erectile function, libido, hypogonadal symptoms, or validated multidimensional domains of male sexual function
⚠Findings are considered exploratory due to the secondary analysis nature and lack of comprehensive endocrine profiling
⚠Small sample size (n=89) and single-center design may limit generalizability

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the main finding of the INTERAPNEA trial regarding testosterone?▼

The intervention group showed significantly higher plasma testosterone levels at 8 weeks and 6 months compared to usual care, with between-group differences of 77.6 ng/dL and 90.4 ng/dL, respectively.

Did the intervention improve sexual activity scores?▼

Yes, scores on the intimate relationships and sexual activity subdomain of the FOSQ increased significantly in the intervention group at both 8 weeks and 6 months.

What population was studied in this trial?▼

Men with overweight or obesity and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, with a total sample size of 89 participants.

What are the limitations of this study?▼

The sexual activity measure used (FOSQ subdomain) does not assess erectile function, libido, or validated male sexual function domains. The findings are exploratory, and the study lacked comprehensive endocrine profiling.

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References

1.Herrera-Quintana L, Vázquez-Lorente H, Ruiz JR, Amaro-Gahete FJ, Carneiro-Barrera A. "Impact of an interdisciplinary weight loss and lifestyle intervention on testosterone and scores for sexual activity on the FOSQ in men with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea: secondary analyses of data from the INTERAPNEA randomized trial.." Maturitas, 2026. PMID: 42456328 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2026.109045

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.