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Nocturia in Women With Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Megan Doyle-McClam1, Muhammad H Shahid1, Jigme M Sethi1
1University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga, Erlanger Baroness Hospital, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine
|May 24, 2021
Summary
Nocturia, or nighttime urination, is a common but often overlooked symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in women. Recognizing this link can improve OSA diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Urology
- Women's Health
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is frequently underdiagnosed in women, who often present with atypical symptoms like fatigue and depression.
- Common screening tools in primary care settings do not include nocturia as a key symptom.
- Nocturia, defined as waking to void multiple times per night, is prevalent in approximately 50% of OSA patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the association between nocturia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
- To emphasize the importance of recognizing nocturia as a potential indicator of OSA in women.
- To encourage primary care providers to consider nocturia in OSA screening and facilitate timely referrals.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and clinical observation synthesis.
- Analysis of nocturia prevalence in OSA patient populations.
- Evaluation of current OSA screening practices and their limitations.
Main Results:
- Nocturia is a significant symptom associated with OSA, affecting about half of patients.
- Treatment for OSA has been shown to effectively improve nocturia symptoms.
- Atypical presentations in women can mask OSA, making symptom recognition crucial.
Conclusions:
- Nocturia should be recognized as a relevant symptom for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) screening.
- Incorporating nocturia assessment can improve the detection rates of OSA, particularly in women.
- Primary care providers play a vital role in identifying nocturia to expedite OSA diagnosis and management.
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