Bladder Oxidative Stress in Sleep Apnea Contributes to Detrusor Instability and Nocturia

Abstract

Intermittent hypoxia in obstructive sleep apnea causes oxidative stress with ultrastructural and functional changes in the bladder. Sleep apnea related nocturia/voiding symptoms could be the result of these direct changes. Untreated sleep apnea has significant health consequences. Identifying urinary oxidative stress products in patients with nocturia may be useful as an economical noninvasive biomarker to identify undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea.