Ces Urol 2025, 29(4):206-211 | DOI: 10.48095/cccu2025029

The relationship between nocturia and obstructive sleep apnoea as a cause of nocturnal polyuria

Radek Paus Sýkora¹, Tomáš Rychlý¹, Jan Krhut^1,2

¹ Urologická klinika LF OU a FN Ostrava

² Katedra chirurgických oborů, LF OU, Ostrava

Nocturia is defined by the International Continence Society as any nighttime urination that is both preceded and followed by sleep. It primarily affects older individuals, and its prevalence increases with age. The main causes of nocturia include global polyuria, nocturnal polyuria, and reduced bladder capacity, which may result from either storage or voiding dysfunction. Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome is a condition in which repeated collapses of the upper airway during sleep lead to episodes of hypopnea or apnoea. As a consequence, pathophysiological changes occur that cause increased secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide from the atrial cardiomyocytes, which in turn leads to nocturnal polyuria due to increased urine production. The aim of this report is to highlight the interrelationship between nocturia and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, which remains significantly underdiagnosed in the general population. In many patients seen in urological clinics, nocturia is primarily regarded as a manifestation of lower urinary tract dysfunction, and the possible contribution of sleep apnoea is often overlooked.

Keywords: nocturia – nocturnal polyuria – atrial natriuretic peptide – obstructive sleep apnoea\r\nsyndrome – CPAP

Received: November 1, 2025; Revised: December 1, 2025; Accepted: December 11, 2025; Published: December 29, 2025