Nocturia: state of the art and critical analysis of current assessment and treatment strategies.

This editorial of the topic issue of the World Journal of Urology provides a state of the art on nocturia which includes descriptions of the terminology, epidemiology, health-related quality of life, medical and financial consequences, pathophysiology, assessment tools and treatment strategies of nocturia. This summary also includes a flowchart on the pathophysiology of nocturia with illustration of the various causes of reduced bladder capacity, increased fluid intake or increased diuresis; a flowchart with the key findings of frequency-volume charts to determine the underlying pathophysiology; and a flowchart on the treatment of the various causes of nocturia. The editorial critically discusses current assessment and treatment strategies in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) and nocturia. The outcome of nocturia remains hidden in drug trials of patients with LUTS/BPH because nocturia-specific measures were not included. The authors recommend using frequency-volume charts, measurement of the hours of undisturbed sleep, and nocturia-specific quality of life questionnaires (e.g., ICIQ-N or N-Qol) in all future studies in patients with LUTS/BPH and nocturia.