Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea With the Risk of Male Infertility in Taiwan

Abstract

Infertility is typically defined as a failure to conceive with unprotected sex after at least 12 months.¹ A previous study reported that the 12-month prevalence of infertility was 3.5% to 16.7% in higher-income nations and 6.9% to 9.3% in lower-income nations. The estimated overall median prevalence was 9%.² In Taiwan, the prevalence of infertility was estimated to be 10% to 15% according to the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).³ Levine et al⁴ conducted a systematic review and meta-regression analysis that presented evidence of a decline in sperm quality over the past decades worldwide. The male factor was estimated to be present in about 50% of infertility cases.⁵