Nocturia in Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome: An Underappreciated Symptom

Nocturia is a common symptom in the elderly and is associated with sleep fragmentation, irregular heartbeats, diabetes and stroke. It may be associated with obstructive sleep apnea-Hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), and when present is seen more often in patients less than 50 years of age. OSAHS is often overlooked as a cause of nocturia, especially in the presence of coexisting diseases such as diabetes. OSAHS patients with frequent nocturia have higher body mass index (BMI), greater apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and worse quality of life. Nocturia is correlated with the severity of OSAHS and the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has shown to be beneficial. In this review, we discuss the various pathophysiologic mechanisms, clinical features and treatment options for patients with nocturia and obstructive sleep apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome.