A prospective study of nocturia and the quality of life of elderly patients with obstructive sleep apnea or sleep onset insomnia

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), nocturia and quality of life in elderly patients free of the urologic and medical conditions that lead to increased nocturia. Methods: Prospective study of nocturia in men 65 years and older with isolated OSAS or sleep onset insomnia. After a 7-day nocturia evaluation and nocturnal polysomnoggaphy, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Quality of Life (SF-36) were administered. Results: OSAS patients with frequent nocturia had significantly greater body mass index (BMI), greater apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), lower lowest oxygen saturation and lower SF-36 subscale scores. Treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for OSAS and behavioral techniques for insomnia improved ESS and BDI scores for all three groups. SF-36 subscale scores improved more in subjects with multiple nocturia. AHI and BMI explain 38% of the variance for nocturia. Conclusion: Nasal CPAP reduces OSA and nocturia and improves quality of life of elderly patients. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.