Nocturnal polyuria in community-dwelling women.

Abstract

To determine the age prevalence of nocturnal polyuria among older women in the community, and to investigate the relationship between nocturnal polyuria and nocturia. In all, 1183 women aged > or = 50 years, who were registered with a family doctor practice and who had taken part in a prevalence study, were sent brief questionnaires and a frequency/volume chart (FVC) to complete. There were 227 FVCs with adequate data and 264 completed questionnaires available for analysis. The prevalence of nocturnal polyuria increased disproportionately with age. There was no clear relationship between nocturia or nocturnal polyuria and daytime frequency, nor was there a clear relationship between diuretic use and nocturnal polyuria. Nocturnal polyuria is common among women in the community and not obviously related to daytime frequency. Night-time symptoms are common in women as well as men, and are troublesome to them.