Prevalence and correlates of nocturia in community-dwelling older adults

To determine the prevalence and correlates of nocturia in community-dwelling older adults.

Planned secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging population-based survey.

Participants' homes.

One thousand older adults (aged 65-106) recruited from Medicare beneficiary lists between 1999 and 2001. The sample was selected to include 25% each African-American women, African-American men, white women, and white men.

In-person interviews included sociodemographic information, medical history, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, and measurement of body mass index (BMI). Nocturia was defined in the main analyses as rising two or more times per night to void.

Nocturia was more common in men than women (63.2% vs 53.8%, odds ratio (OR)=1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.15-1.91, P=.003) and more common in African Americans than whites (66.3% vs 50.9%, OR=1.89, 95% CI=1.46-2.45, P<.001). In multiple backward elimination regression analysis in men, nocturia was significantly associated with African-American race (OR=1.54) and BMI (OR=1.22 per 5 kg/m(2)). Higher MMSE score was protective (OR=0.96). In women, nocturia was associated with older age (OR=1.21 per 5 years), African-American race (OR=1.64), history of any urine leakage (OR=2.17), swelling in feet and legs (OR=1.67), and hypertension (OR=1.62). Higher education was protective (OR=0.92).

Nocturia in community-dwelling older adults is a common symptom associated with male sex, African-American race, and some medical conditions. Given the significant morbidity associated with nocturia, any evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms should include assessment for the presence of nocturia.