Epidemiology of Nocturia: Evaluation of Prevalence, Incidence, Impact and Risk Factors

Nocturia is one of the most common lower urinary tract symptoms. The prevalence of nocturia is higher among young women than young men, but because the prevalence increases more strongly with age in men, it becomes more common in men in old age. Two episodes of nocturia constitute meaningful nocturia, affecting quality of life and perceived health, while a single episode does not. Nocturia is not only associated with an increased risk of falls and fractures, but presumably also with increased mortality. However, it is possible that nocturia is an indicator of frailty – rather than a direct cause of death. Several risk factors for (prevalent) nocturia exist, such as prostatic hyperplasia, overactive bladder, obesity, sleep apnea, parity, post-partum and post-menopausal periods. Risk factors include diseases of the lower urinary tract, and also a range of systemic co-morbidities. Because the prevalence of nocturia strongly increases with age, the number of people affected by it will likely increase with shifting of the population structures towards older age groups globally.