Association between pregnancy and nocturia: A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey analysis

This study aimed to determine the impact of pregnancy and pregnancy-associated characteristics on nocturia.

Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 2005/06 to 2017/18, we analyzed women who completed the "Reproductive Health" and "Kidney Conditions-Urology" questionnaires by sorting them into three groups: nulligravida, previously pregnant (nonpregnant with prior pregnancies), and currently pregnant. After excluding patients with pre-existing conditions impacting nocturia or with incomplete data, we weighed and matched the groups for age, race, BMI, and number of pregnancies. The relationships of nocturia to pregnancy in all groups and pregnancy-associated characteristics (gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM], history of multiple pregnancies, and trimesters of pregnancy) in currently pregnant women were assessed.

Of 8330 women that indicated pregnancy status, 1544 women (age range: 20-44 years; 523 nulligravida, 498 previously pregnant, 523 currently pregnant women) were included in analysis. Currently, pregnant women had a higher prevalence of nocturia than previously pregnant and nulligravida women (56.4% vs. 22.5% vs. 16.1%, p < 0.001) and had the highest odds of nocturia (OR: 6.82, p < 0.001). GDM or history of multiple pregnancies showed no associations in currently pregnant women. Increasing trimesters were associated with nocturia, with the third trimester showing the highest odds (OR: 10.35, p < 0.001) and a greater average of nighttime voids than the first and second trimesters (2.40 ± 1.42 vs. 1.56 ± 1.31 and 1.88 ± 1.32, p < 0.001).

The association noted between pregnancy and nocturia, which strengthened with increasing trimesters, demonstrates that nocturia can significantly impact quality of life and therefore must be addressed during pregnancy.