Association between NT‐proBNP and nocturia among community‐dwelling elderly males and females: A cross‐sectional analysis of the HEIJO‐KYO study

Aims To investigate the association between B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and nocturia among community‐dwelling males and females. Methods A total of 1096 participants (mean age 71.9 ± 7.1 years, 518 [47.2%] males) were included in the study. The number of nocturnal voids was recorded in a self‐reported urination diary, and nocturia was defined as two or more voids per night. Daytime serum concentration of the N‐terminal fragment of BNP precursor (NT‐proBNP) was measured. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between NT‐proBNP and nocturia. Results Nocturia was observed in 23.5% of females and 37.1% of males. Higher NT‐proBNP (log pg/ml) was associated with nocturia in both gender groups (females: odds ratio [OR]: 1.67, 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.21–2.34, p = .002; males: OR: 1.26, 95% CI, 1.01–1.59, p = .046), independent of confounding variables including night‐time blood pressure, mean voided volume, and chronic kidney disease. Although the increase in prevalence of nocturia with higher NT‐proBNP was equivalent in both genders, some effect of gender on the relationship between NT‐proBNP and nocturia was observed (p = .037). Nocturnal urine volume was also significantly and independently associated with NT‐proBNP level (females: β = 32.9 ml, 95% CI, 5.63–60.2, p = .018; males: β = 34.6 ml, 95% CI, 9.40–59.9, p = .007). Conclusions This study revealed higher serum NT‐proBNP is significantly and independently associated with the prevalence of nocturia in both males and females. This is an exploratory cross‐sectional study and the analyses are post hoc, so further research works are needed to clarify the causality and clinical value.