[Nocturia and the circadian rhythm].

Nocturia, undesired micturition at night, is present in 60% to 90% of individuals older than 60 years and causes significant deterioration in quality of life. Prevention of micturition at night is regulated by a triad of factors including decreased arousal in the brain, decreased urine production rate in the kidneys and increased functional bladder capacity. There is increasing evidence that the triad of micturition is modulated by the circadian clock system. Risk factors of nocturia such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular accidents and depression have also been associated with dysfunction of the circadian clock system. The etiology of nocturia might be elucidated by investigating it as dysfunction of peripheral or central circadian clock.