The high prevalence of Nocturia among Asians is one of the many reasons why it should not only be looked at as a medical symptom, but as a serious medical condition, said Professor Philip van Kerrebroeck, the chairman of the Standardization Committee of the ICS, during the 1st Asian Nocturia Forum (ANF) in Mactan City.
Nocturia is a condition where one wakes up at night to void and it is one of the most common causes of a disturbed night’s sleep. It can lead to sleep deprivation, loss of vitality and a significantly reduced quality of life compared to non-sufferers.
The condition also increases the chances of getting into an accident or getting sick. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the underlying conditions of Nocturia – its risk factors, and the available treatment options such as desmopressin, a drug that reduces urine production.
More than 50 specialists from all over Asia participated in the forum. They proposed measures to curb the prevalence, impact and treatment modalities done in various Asian medical centers.
Experts from the Philippines, Singapore, and Hong Kong have confirmed a high prevalence of Nocturia among Asians, and it is equally prevalent in men and women. They also find that increased urine production is the major cause of the disorder.
"This figure is very conservative. With proper medical guidelines, screening, and patient awareness, these figures are bound to increase,’’ said Dr. David T. Bolong of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.
Experts from UK and Thailand presented Nocturia as one of the common causes of distributed sleep patterns, which is manifested in terms of morning tiredness, daytime tiredness and naps. Nocturia is also related to various specific medical and neurological conditions.
"This detrimental effect on the quality of life of Asians with Nocturia has raised the importance of the development of set guidelines in terms of diagnosis and management of Nocturia,’’ stated Professor van Kerrebroeck.
More than 80 percent of the specialists in the forum considered using treatment, recommending Desmopressin.
"Studies show that desmopressin is an effective treatment in adults because it significantly reduces the number of nocturnal voids and therefore improves sleep quality by increasing the undisturbed sleep period,’’ said Dr. Linda Cardozo of the King’s College Hospital in London.
