Nocturia as a Risk Factor for Developing Frailty in Older Adults: Results of the Berlin Aging Study II

Abstract

Background & Aim The current study examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between nocturia and frailty in a cohort of men and women aged 60 years and older, as evidence on this topic was lacking. Methods Baseline and follow-up data from the Berlin Aging Study II (n=1671) assessed on average 7.1 (IQR 6.2-8.7) years apart were analyzed. Self-reported nocturia was dichotomized into </ ≥2 micturitions per night, and frailty was assessed using the Fried Frailty Phenotype. Covariables were identified a priori based on a review of the existing literature. Results At baseline, 70.2% of the participants were robust, 28.9% were pre-frail, and 0.9% were frail; 254 participants (23.6%) had self-reported nocturia. In longitudinal analyses, the prevalence and incidence of frailty at follow-up significantly increased when nocturia was present at baseline. Over the median follow-up of 7.1 years, there were 41 incident frailty cases (IR 5.15, 95% CI 3.79-7.00 per 1000 person-years). After adjusting for age, sex, morbidity burden, and baseline frailty status, baseline nocturia was associated with a 2.23-fold increased risk (95% CI 1.17-4.18) of frailty at follow-up. Conclusion Nocturia is linked to a higher risk of developing frailty in older adults, both women and men.