This study aimed to describe the characteristics of nocturia in older hospitalised patients and to explore knowledge, beliefs, and experiences associated with night toileting while in hospital in order to identify unmet care needs.
A multisite mixed methods cross-sectional study of older hospitalised adults who were admitted for ≥ 2 days was conducted using a standardized researcher-administered questionnaire. An additional cohort 16 older hospitalised adults with nocturia > twice per night were interviewed to understand the experience and impact of nocturia during hospitalisation.
Nocturia was experienced by 260 out of 308 participants. In-hospital nocturia was significantly correlated with nocturia in the month preceding admission, high diurnal voiding frequency and nocturnal urinary urgency. Bother was attributed to multiple nocturia episodes. Participants had poor knowledge and understanding of nocturia and believed the symptom to be a normal occurrence; only 20% had discussed management with staff. Disrupted sleep and fear of falling were common in older immobile participants with nocturia.
Nocturia is highly prevalent in hospitalised older people. Toileting multiple times at night bothers patients, disrupts sleep, heightens a fear of falling yet is rarely addressed in ward management plans. A screening process to identify, assess, provide education and intervene for nocturia has the potential to improve wellbeing, safety at night and to address risk factors.
International journal of clinical practice. 2021 Sep 15 [Epub ahead of print]
W Van Besien, S Shire, V Decalf, C E Ervin, S King, C Baldrey, A Da Silva, A Wagg, K E Everaert, W F Bower
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium., Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada., Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium., Continence Service, Sub-Acute Community Services, Royal Melbourne Hospital., Department of Allied Health, Discipline of Physiotherapy, Royal Melbourne Hospital.