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Nocturia × disturbed sleep: a review

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Abstract

In this article, we provide a concise review of the literature on nocturia and its interference with sleep and, consequently, on quality of life. There are few studies addressing the possible influences of nocturia on sleep disruption. Nocturia is a potential contributor to sleep disorders because affected individuals experience nonrestorative sleep due to frequent interruptions. We also attempted to determine whether individuals with nocturia wake to urinate or, alternately, urinate because they are awake. This review attempts to outline this specific association by examining the possible interactions with other medical conditions and the pathophysiology and prevalence. Most studies have observed a higher prevalence among women; however, the impact on quality of life is higher in men. Nocturia is not necessarily associated with natural aging. The exploration of these topics provides information to clarify the implications of nocturia on sleep, sleep disruption, and other related consequences. Additional evidence is still required to address the question of whether nocturia leads to disordered sleep or whether disordered sleep leads to nocturia.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from the Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP), CNPq, and FAPESP (CEPID no. 98/14303-3 to S.T.). ST and MLA are recipients of fellowships from the CNPq.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ginecologia e Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros, 925, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Daniele Furtado & Helena Hachul

  2. Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros, 925, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Monica L. Andersen & Sergio Tufik

  3. Departamento de Ginecologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros, 925, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Rodrigo A. Castro & Manoel B. Girão

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  1. Daniele Furtado
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  2. Helena Hachul
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Correspondence to Helena Hachul.

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Furtado, D., Hachul, H., Andersen, M.L. et al. Nocturia × disturbed sleep: a review. Int Urogynecol J 23, 255–267 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-011-1525-x

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