The aim of this study is to demonstrate the relationship between nocturia and geriatric syndromes, and comprehensive geriatric assessment parameters (CGA) in older women. 858 older outpatient women were included in this cross-sectional study. For the nocturia variable, the question, “Generally, during the past 30 days, how many times did you usually urinate after you have gone to sleep at night until the time you got up in the morning?’’ was used. The relationships between nocturia status and common geriatric syndromes, and CGA parameters were determined. The mean age of patients was 74.1 ± 8.0 years. The prevalence of patients who reported average of 0, ≥1, ≥2, ≥3, and ≥4 nocturnal episodes was 14.7%, 85.3%, 66.3%, 42.13%, and 24.1%, respectively. When all the covariates including age, education, Charlson Comorbidities Index score, glomerular filtration rate, antimuscarinic drugs and alpha-blockers use, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and incontinence were adjusted, there were higher rates of insomnia, recurrent falls and higher scores of Timed Up-Go test in older women with ≥2 nocturia episodes (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between ≥3 nocturia episodes and lower Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scores and a significant correlation between ≥4 nocturnal episodes and frailty and polypharmacy (p < 0.05). Nocturia is quite common and associated with insomnia, frailty, polypharmacy, incontinence, falls, lower gait speed, and functionality in older women.Therefore, nocturia is very important for geriatric practice and ≥2 nocturia episodes can be a marker of poor health status in older women.
As the incidence of nocturia increases with aging and as the mobility of older individuals decreases, nocturia potentially has significant clinical implications. In this study tried to evaluate the relationship between nocturia and geriatric syndromes, and comprehensive geriatric assessment parameters (CGA) in older women.
In this cross-sectional study 858 older outpatient women were included. For the inclusion based on the nocturia symptom the following question was used: Generally, during the past 30 days, how many times did you usually urinate after you have gone to sleep at night until the time you got up in the morning? The relationships between nocturia status and common geriatric syndromes, and CGA parameters were also determined.
The mean age of individuals was 74.1 ± 8.0 years, and the prevalence of patients who reported average of 0, ≥1, ≥2, ≥3, and ≥4 nocturnal episodes was respectively 14.7%, 85.3%, 66.3%, 42.13%, and 24.1%.
When all the covariates including age, education, Charlson Comorbidities Index score, glomerular filtration rate, antimuscarinic drugs and alpha-blockers use, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and incontinence were adjusted, there were higher rates of insomnia, recurrent falls and higher scores of Timed Up-Go test in older women with ≥2 nocturia episodes (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between ≥3 nocturia episodes and lower Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scores and a significant correlation between ≥4 nocturnal episodes and frailty and polypharmacy (p < 0.05).
The authors conclude, and we agree that nocturia is quite common and associated with insomnia, frailty, polypharmacy, incontinence, falls, lower gait speed, and functionality in older women. They state as a general conclusion that therefore nocturia is very important for geriatric practice and ≥2 nocturia episodes can be a marker of poor health status in older women.
This study confirms that definitely in older women nocturia is an important symptom that may not be neglected and classified as belonging to ‘normal’ ageing. Hence nocturia in older women should be analysed and if approriate is prone for rational treatment.