Changes of Voiding Patterns with Age in Normal Adult Males

Han, Dong Yup; Kim, Jong Sung; Rim, Joung Sik

Abstract

PURPOSE: We tried to discover the normal voiding pattern, which was diurnal & nocturnal urinary volume, voiding frequencies in healthy older men without prostate disease.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
All voided volumes, times and frequencies were recorded for 3 days in 158 healthy men without any voiding problems. The subjects ages ranged from 31 to 49 for 47 men (mean age 42.8), 50 to 59 for 38 men (mean age 54.1), 60 to 69 for 39 men (mean age 67.3), 70 to 81 for 34 men (mean age 74.5). The subjects age related changes in bladder capacity, urinary volume and frequency were evaluated. The causes of nocturnal urinary frequency and its increase with age in healthy older men were evaluated using 3 days of voiding diaries. Nocturia was devided into three types: nocturnal polyuria, decreased nocturnal bladder capacity and mixed type.
RESULTS
Nocturnal bladder capacity, functional bladder capacity, total urinary voiding volume and daytime urinary voiding volume decreased with age. Nocturnal urinary frequency increased with age. Nocturnal urinary volume did not change with age. 76 (48%) of the 158 volunteers had 2 or more voidings per night. 9 (12%) of the 76 volunteers had nocturnal polyuria. 39 (51%) had decreased nocturnal bladder capacity, and 28 (37%) had mixed type.
CONCLUSIONS
Normal voiding patterns changed with age, especially in subjects over 60 years. In most cases, nocturia was caused by decreased nocturnal bladder capacity, since nocturnal urinary volume did not change with age but nocturnal bladder capacity decreased with age.