Coexistence of Nocturia and Frailty and Its Effect on Polypharmacy in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

INTRODUCTION

Early interventions for nocturia and frailty are increasingly emphasized to extend healthy life expectancy. These interventions may lead to an increase in the number of drugs administered, potentially resulting in polypharmacy. This study examined the association between nocturia, coexisting frailty, and polypharmacy in community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS

We selected 891 older adults without cognitive dysfunction (470 men, 421 women) from a population-based study conducted in 2016 in Kashiwa City, Japan. The association between nocturia, frailty, and polypharmacy was evaluated using sex-stratified logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of nocturia, frailty, and their coexistence was 56.4%, 6.2%, and 4.0% in men, and 35.2%, 3.8%, and 2.6% in women, respectively. Polypharmacy was observed in 19.4% of men and 13.1% of women. Compared to the group without nocturia or frailty, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for polypharmacy was 2.47 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29-4.71) in men and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.50-1.95) in women in the group with either nocturia or frailty. The AORs for the group with both nocturia and frailty were 5.33 (95% CI: 1.56-18.17) in men and 1.20 (95% CI: 0.23-6.17) in women.

CONCLUSION

Polypharmacy is more likely in older men when nocturia and frailty coexist. It is important to ensure that the treatment of nocturia and frailty does not result in a significant increase in the number of medications prescribed.