Diuretic pattern in adults with nocturnal polyuria: The possible contribution of blood pressure to the worsening of nocturnal polyuria

Implications of Cardiovascular Disease for Assessment and Treatment of Nocturia in Primary Care: Systematic Review and Nominal Group Technique Consensus

CONTEXT

Heart conditions affect salt and water homeostasis as a consequence of the underlying condition, compensatory processes, and therapy, and can result in nocturnal polyuria. These processes need to be identified as part of a full evaluation of nocturia.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review of nocturia in cardiovascular disease and achieve expert consensus for primary care management. Primary care was defined as a health care setting in which the expertise did not include specialist cardiology.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Four databases were searched from January 2000 to April 2020. A total of 3524 titles and abstracts were screened and 27 studies underwent full-text screening. Of these, eight studies were included in the analysis. The nominal group technique (NGT) was used to achieve consensus among an expert panel incorporating public involvement.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Most studies focused on nocturia related to blood pressure (BP), while one investigated leg oedema. Hypertension, particularly overnight blood pressure above normal, corresponds with higher risk of nocturia. NGT identified fluid and salt overload, nondipping hypertension, and some therapeutic interventions as key nocturia contributors. History taking and examination should identify raised jugular venous pressure/ankle swelling, with relevant investigations including measurement of BP, resting electrocardiogram, and B-type natriuretic peptide. Treatment recommends reducing salt (including substitutes), alcohol and caffeine. Heart failure is managed according to local guidance and controlling fluid intake to 1-2 l daily. If there is no fluid retention, reduce or discontinue diuretics or calcium channel blockers and follow up to reassess the condition. The target clinic blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiovascular disease and its treatment are influential for understanding nocturia. Management aims to identify and treat heart failure and/or hypertension.

PATIENT SUMMARY

People with cardiovascular disease can suffer severe sleep disturbance because of a need to pass urine at night due to increased overnight blood pressure or heart failure. Following a detailed evaluation of the published research, a group of experts recommended practical approaches for assessing and treating these issues.

Nocturia as an Unrecognized Symptom of Uncontrolled Hypertension in Black Men Aged 35 to 49 Years

Background

Hypertension is assumed to be asymptomatic. Yet, clinically significant nocturia (≥2 nightly voids) constitutes a putative symptom of uncontrolled hypertension. Black men with hypertension may be prone to nocturia because of blunted nocturnal blood pressure (BP) dipping, diuretic drug use for hypertension, and comorbidity that predisposes to nocturia. Here, we test the hypothesis that nocturia is a common and potentially reversible symptom of uncontrolled hypertension in black men.

Methods and Results

We determined the strength of association between nocturia (≥2 nightly voids) and high BP (≥135/85 mm Hg) by conducting in‐person health interviews and measuring BP with an automated monitor in a large community‐based sample of black men in their barbershops. Because nocturia is prevalent and steeply age‐dependent after age 50 years, we studied men aged 35 to 49 years. Among 1673 black men (mean age, 43±4 years [SD]), those with hypertension were 56% more likely than men with normotension to have nocturia after adjustment for diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea (adjusted odds ratio, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.25–1.94 [P<0.0001]). Nocturia prevalence varied by hypertension status, ranging from 24% in men with normotension to 49% in men whose hypertension was medically treated but uncontrolled. Men with untreated hypertension were 39% more likely than men with normotension to report nocturia (P=0.02), whereas men whose hypertension was treated and controlled were no more likely than men with normotension to report nocturia (P=0.69).

Conclusions

Uncontrolled hypertension was an independent determinant of clinically important nocturia in a large cross‐sectional community‐based study of non‐Hispanic black men aged 35 to 49 years.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unqiue identifier: NCT 02321618.

Nocturnal polyuria: Literature review of definition, pathophysiology, investigations and treatment

Nocturnal polyuria (NP) is characterised by increased urine production overnight in comparison to daytime. It has significant adverse events in adults including reduced quality of life, increased risk of falls and increased mortality.

Although NP can be a manifestation of other significant conditions like heart failure and sleep apnoea, there are lots of unanswered questions about NP. What is the underlying pathophysiology? Is NP a physiological manifestation of ageing? Is the circadian change of vasopressin release the primary pathology? Or is it a secondary phenomenon to a low diurnal production of urine? Is the primary pathology at the kidney level or is there another humoral, cardiac, or endovascular element? In this article, we summarise the available English-language literature on the subject of NP, including its epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.

Level of evidence: Not applicable for this multicentre audit.

Relationship between nocturnal polyuria and non-dipping blood pressure in male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to examine factors of nocturnal polyuria and blood pressure variability in male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) who were treated.

METHODS

Two hundred and forty-two male patients with LUTS who were treated recorded frequency volume charts. We investigated their urinary condition and characteristics, medical history, and medications. Thirty-four of these patients underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) for 24 hours to evaluate blood pressure variability.

RESULTS

In the present study, 194 patients (80.2%) had nocturia and 136 (56.2%) had nocturnal polyuria (NP). Among patients with nocturia (≥2 voids/night), 130 (67.0%) had nocturnal polyuria, and 26 of those with nocturia (13.4%) had reduced functional bladder capacity. The use of 2 or more antihypertensive medications was significantly higher in the NP than non-NP group (22.8% vs. 12.3%; P = .035). Significantly more patients in the NP group had non-dipping blood pressure (P = .037). Non-dipping blood pressure was considered a potential factor for NP.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that treatment of non-dipping blood pressure may improve NP.