Hypothesis / aims of study
Nocturnal polyuria (NP), a major cause of nocturia, may reflect underlying systemic cardiometabolic dysfunction. Yet, sex-specific determinants of NP remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to identify cardiovascular and metabolic correlates of NP in a population-based sample and assess whether these associations differ between men and women. In addition, understanding these associations may help to improve risk stratification and guide more targeted clinical management of patients with nocturia.
Study design, materials and methods
Cross-sectional data were analyzed from 1,192 adults (mean age 55.4 ± 14.0 years; 59% women) in the EpiNP study, a US population-based survey conducted between 2019 and 2020. NP was defined as nocturnal urine production ≥90 mL/h based on 3-day bladder diary data. Multivariable logistic regression models examined associations between NP and hypertension or heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and age (per 10 years), adjusting for sex. Stratified models were conducted for men and women.
Results
NP prevalence was 55.3%. In the total sample, age (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.11-1.32, p < 0.001) and diabetes (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.12-2.14, p = 0.008) were independently associated with NP, whereas hypertension/heart disease and sleep apnea were not.
Among men, NP was associated with cardiovascular comorbidity (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.02-2.22, p = 0.04) and age (OR 1.19, 95% CI1.03-1.37, p = 0.02).
Among women, both age (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.09-1.38, p < 0.001) and diabetes (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.04-2.53, p = 0.04) remained significant, without cardiovascular association.
Interpretation of results
These findings suggest differing cardiometabolic profiles underlying NP across sexes.