Nocturia affects one in three premenopausal women

By Joanna Lyford, Senior medwireNews Reporter

Nocturia affects around one-third of women of reproductive age, a survey has found, highlighting that the condition is not confined to elderly individuals.

The study, which appears in the Korean Journal of Urology also found that nocturia was significantly associated with lower urinary tract symptoms, being present in three-quarters of women with overactive bladder.

The survey was completed by 1636 mothers of primary school children living in the city of Ankara, Turkey. The average age was 34.4 years (range 20–46 years) and 567 (34.7%) had nocturia, based on their responses to the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form questionnaire. In all, 12.8% of women reported two or more voidings per night.

The prevalence of nocturia increased with increasing age, body mass index, number of pregnancies and number of children delivered. Multivariate analysis identified three significant risk factors for nocturia: a higher number of deliveries, older age and a history of nocturnal enuresis.

Nocturia was significantly more common in women with other urinary symptoms and disorders. It was present in 68.0%, 73.3%, 73.5% and 76.2% in women with urge incontinence, frequency, urgency and overactive bladder, respectively.

The researchers, led by Haşmet Sarici (Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Turkey), say their study confirms that age is a major risk factor for nocturia, with the prevalence rising from 32% in women aged 20–30 years to 46% in those aged 41–50 years.

Several mechanisms contribute to age-related nocturia, the authors remark, including nocturnal polyuria and decreased nocturnal bladder capacity.

However, the study also reveals the high burden of nocturia among younger women and an association with pregnancy and childbirth; nocturia in younger women may be driven by a decline in functional bladder capacity and urogenital prolapse.

The authors note that the consequences of nocturia, such as sleep disorders, mood disturbances, reduced quality of life and distractibility can be seen in young adults. The therefore conclude that “nocturia should be queried about and should be treated if necessary.”

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