Nocturia associated with depressive symptoms

To assess the relationship between nocturia and depression, two inflammatory conditions that affect a significant number of men worldwide.

We asked 547 male patients to self-administer the American Urological Association Symptom Score (AUA-SS) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), a validated screening tool for depression. Univariate analysis identified significant differences in patient characteristics between depressed and nondepressed patients, and binary logistic regression was used to assess the potential relationship between nocturia and depression while controlling for patient demographics and quality of life.

Of the cohort, 17.0% screened positive for depression. Depressed and nondepressed patients reported a mean (SD) of 2.7 (1.4) and 1.9 (1.4) episodes of nocturia per night, respectively (P <.001). After controlling for demographic variables and overall quality of life, patients with 5 or more episodes of nocturia per night experienced a 6.5-fold increased risk of depression compared with patients without nocturia (OR, 6.530; 95% CI, 2.107-20.239, P <.001).

A significant correlation exists between nocturia and depression. Consequently, clinicians might use nocturia as a predictor of depression. Patients with increased frequency of nocturia may be considered for referral for further mental health evaluation.