Nocturia patients 'at higher mortality risk'

Washington, Apr 27 (ANI): People, who suffer from nocturia, the need to urinate at least twice during the night, could have a significantly high risk for mortality, according to a new study.

In the study, researchers demonstrated that there was a significantly increased mortality rate in elderly patients living in a Japanese assisted-living facility who suffered from nocturia, relative to other residents.

They conducted a comprehensive geriatric assessment of 788 residents 70 years old or older to determine incidence of nocturia.

The scientists took into account data from a national health insurance system, and assessed differences in survival stratified by presence or absence of nocturia over three years.

They adjusted the models to control for age, sex, BMI, diabetes, hypertension, history of coronary heart disease, nephropathy, alcohol consumption, and use of tranquilizers, hypnotics or diuretics.

"Nighttime urination is not necessarily just a matter of getting older. Patients should talk to their doctor about what may be causing this. There may be a very serious yet treatable condition involved," said Dr. Anthony Y. Smith.

The study was presented at the 104th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA). (ANI)