Overactive bladder treatment for patients with nocturia: what are the clinical benefits?

This study investigated if treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) improved nocturia symptoms. They found that OAB treatment improved nocturia symptoms.

Nocturia is described as waking at night to urinate. Nocturia is more common in older patients. One cause of nocturia is overactive bladder (OAB). OAB is an increase in bladder activity. OAB can lead to nocturnal polyuria (NP). NP is an increase in urine production at night. This can have a number of effects. Nocturia can lead to other conditions. Nocturia can lead to sleep disorders, hypertension, and diabetes. It can also lead to a reduced quality of life.

Managing nocturia is important. Treating the cause of nocturia is not always straightforward. Treatment to reduce urine production may be effective in OAB. It is not clear if OAB treatment improves nocturia symptoms.

This study included 20 patients with nocturia. Patients received medication to treat OAB. Two types of medication were used. 15 patients took an anticholinergic drug such as oxybutynin and tolterodine. 5 patients took a beta-3 adrenergic drug (mirabegron). These drugs relax the bladder muscle. This reduces the urge to urinate. Patients also received lifestyle advice on managing nocturia. The study lasted 12 weeks. The main outcome was the number of nighttime voids.

Nocturia had a mild-moderate impact on the quality of life. The urge to urinate and urine leakage were reduced at the end of the study. Nighttime voids were reduced by one void per night. The rate of NP reduced from 63% to 56%. Quality of life scores were unchanged at the end of the study. There was no effect of treatment on anxiety or depression.

The authors concluded that OAB treatment improved nocturia symptoms.

This was a relatively small study. The impact of nocturia on quality of life may be different in other patients. Larger studies are needed.

If you have any concerns regarding nocturia please discuss this with your doctor.