Circadian changes in urine volume and frequency in elderly men

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Gerontology
• Chronobiology

Background:

• Urinary frequency, diuresis, and bladder capacity are crucial indicators of lower urinary tract function.
• Age-related changes can significantly impact these parameters, affecting quality of life, especially in elderly populations.
• Understanding circadian variations in these functions is essential for diagnosing and managing urological conditions in aging individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate circadian rhythm alterations in urinary frequency, diuresis, and bladder capacity.
• To compare these urodynamic parameters between middle-aged and elderly male populations.
• To identify the primary drivers of increased nighttime urinary frequency in older men.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 24-hour uroflowmetry system to record data.
• Collected data from a total of 2,703 urinations.
• Included 50 male participants with a median age of 66 years, categorized into middle-aged and elderly groups.

Main Results:

• The elderly group exhibited significantly increased urinary frequency and decreased bladder capacity over a 24-hour period compared to the middle-aged group.
• No significant differences in overall diuresis were observed between the two age groups.
• Nighttime urinary frequency (midnight to 6 a.m.) was markedly higher in the elderly group (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• The heightened nocturnal urinary frequency in elderly men is primarily attributed to an increase in nighttime diuresis.
• Age-related changes in bladder capacity do not appear to be the main cause of increased nighttime voiding.
• Findings highlight the importance of considering circadian patterns and nocturnal diuresis in the evaluation of urinary issues in older men.