Neurourologic Outcomes in Men With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Neurology
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder with systemic effects.
• Storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) share neural pathways with OSA.
• Previous studies have not concurrently examined OSA, LUTS, and neurocognitive outcomes in men.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men aged 50 and older.
• To explore the concurrent impact of OSA on neurocognitive outcomes in this population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX Research Network.
• Inclusion of men aged 50+ with BPH without baseline LUTS.
• Propensity score matching created balanced cohorts (n=89,074 each) comparing OSA diagnosis with no OSA diagnosis.

Main Results:

• OSA diagnosis was associated with increased risk and earlier onset of urgency, urgency incontinence, overactive bladder, and increased micturition frequency.
• OSA correlated significantly with mild cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric disorders.
• No difference in Alzheimer's disease incidence was observed between groups.

Conclusions:

• Lower urinary tract symptoms warrant greater attention in men diagnosed with OSA.
• The findings suggest a role for nervous system mechanisms, rather than solely cardio-renal factors, in OSA-related LUTS.
• Further research into the neurogenic underpinnings of LUTS in OSA patients is indicated.