Health of the Elderly with regard to Sleep and Nocturnal Micturition

Abstract

A questionnaire study was carried out among pensioners in Jämtland County, Sweden. The questionnaire was answered by 1115 persons, representing a response rate of 74%. It covered various aspects of health, with emphasis on sleep, fatigue, thirst, and other symptoms that may interfere with night-time sleep. The data were analysed with regard to the stated number of night-time disturbances due to urination.

Nocturnal micturition was often associated with increased sleep disorders, a poorer quality of sleep, increased thirst, particularly at night, and increased fatigue in the daytime. All the relationships were clearer in women than in men. There was no relationship between reported enuresis in childhood and an increased frequency of voiding when the subject became older.

Key Words:

• health of elderly
• sleep
• nocturnal micturition
• excessive daytime sleepiness