Night-time frequency, sleep disturbance and general health-related quality of life: is there a relation?
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a community-based study to determine the relationship among night-time frequency, sleep disturbance and general health-related quality of life (GHQL).


METHODS
A total of 2271 participants, men and women, aged 41-70 and randomly selected in three Japanese towns completed a postal questionnaire survey. This questionnaire included: the International Prostate Symptom Score, the overall incontinence score of the International Consultation of Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form for lower urinary tract symptoms, the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index for sleep problems, the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-8 for GHQL, and medical history of disease, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption. A multiple regression model was used for statistical analysis, and P < 0.05 was considered significant.


RESULTS
Although night-time frequency by itself was closely associated with most aspects of GHQL, this association disappeared in four domains (general health perception, vitality, mental health and emotional role) and in the two summary scores of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-8 after inclusion of the influence of sleep problems represented by the total score on the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. However, three domains (physical function, physical role, and social function) remained significantly associated with night-time frequency. Sleep problems were by far the worst risk factor for the deterioration of GHQL.


CONCLUSIONS
Night-time frequency appeared to be associated with GHQL mainly by affecting sleep conditions, a symptom that independently influenced some aspects of GHQL.
Yoshimura
Koji
K
Department of Urology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. ky7527@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Oka
Yasunori
Y
Kamoto
Toshiyuki
T
Tsukamoto
Taiji
T
Oshiro
Kiyoshi
K
Suzukamo
Yoshimi
Y
Kinukawa
Naoko
N
Ogawa
Osamu
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053158:Nocturia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology