Disease-Related Etiologies of Nocturia: A Focused Literature Review

Nocturia is a highly prevalent symptom that affects multiple aspects of health. However, it is often underrecognized and undertreated, leading to problems both within the genitourinary system and systemically. The goal of this paper is to further characterize the pathophysiology behind the most common medical factors that contribute to nocturia by performing a focused literature review in a structured format. This will aid clinicians when evaluating and treating patients with nocturia.

Based on expert opinion, we recognized six main common pathologies associated with nocturia: obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and lifestyle habits. Our literature review identified 49 articles including randomized controlled trials, observational studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Each condition has its own unique pathophysiology that is associated with the development of nocturia. These etiologies also present various ways upon which nocturia can be intervened. These six pathologies are the most common medical etiologies for nocturia based on expert opinion. This paper demonstrates the multifactorial nature of nocturia and highlights assessment and treatment strategies.