Incidence of nocturia in post kidney transplant patients at Chiang Mai University Hospital: a descriptive study

Abstract

Objective: Kidney transplantation is the most effective long term treatment for ESRD patients one reason being the decrease in complications related to hemodialysis/ peritoneal dialysis. However, the transplantation is associated with high urine volume which makes ESRD patients experience increased nocturia affecting quality of life. The objective of this study is to investigate incidence and frequency of nocturia at different periods of time after kidney transplantation and the percentage of increase in bladder capacity.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive and ambispective study was carried out using data from medical records and self-frequency voiding charts recorded after transplantation at 1, 3 and 6 months. Data used was pertinent to kidney transplant patients at Chiang Mai University Hospital from June 2018 to February 2020 and August 2020 to December 2021.

Results: Data from a total of 132 patients fitted the criteria, 68 patients from prior study and 64 patients who were enrolled onto a prospective study. Virtually 100% of patients (131/132) have nocturia (nighttime voiding ≥ 2) at 1 month after surgery, the frequency decreasing in incidence at 3 and 6 months (96.21 & 87.88% respectively). The mean frequency of nighttime voiding is also decreasing at 1, 3, and 6 months (5.72, 4.24, 3.29 respectively). Meanwhile, the mean post-operative bladder capacity(ml) is increasing, at 360, 449, and 486 ml at 1, 3, and 6 months respectively. These results may show a correlation between increase in bladder capacity and decrease in frequency of nighttime voiding

Conclusion: Post-kidney transplant patients will face nocturia, but in most cases this will improve in time because of the increase of bladder capacity. Further research into this area needs to include a longer follow up period to enable the identification of the timing of the plateau phase when nighttime voiding and bladder capacity are stable. This will enable both patients and health professionals to plan and advise regarding any idiosyncracies in recovery after kidney transplantation.