Management of nocturia: overcoming the challenges of nocturnal polyuria

Nocturia may be a multifactorial condition and should be regarded as a syndrome rather than a diagnosis, with many factors contributing to the clinical presentation. The effects of sleep deprivation can have a severely detrimental impact on the quality of life and productivity of the working age population, with considerable economic implications. Patients are unlikely to seek an appointment with their GP complaining of nocturia - they are more likely to complain of the effects of the condition, such as chronic tiredness, or injuries resulting from falls. The main criterion in deciding whether a patient should undergo further investigations into suspected nocturia is the degree to which the patient finds the condition bothersome. In some patients, lifestyle modifications may be an effective way to manage nocturia before medication is considered. As the only licensed product for all adults including those over 65 years of age, low dose desmopressin (Noqdirna^® (as lyophilisate) Ferring Pharmaceuticals Ltd) is highly effective in the management of idiopathic nocturnal polyuria, producing improvements in clinical symptoms, sleep parameters and quality of life. Care should be administered as a joint enterprise between the patient's GP and colleagues in secondary care. This article outlines the findings of a roundtable discussion into the optimal management of patients with nocturnal polyuria.