# Relationship between nocturia, depression, and cognitive function and the mediating effects of nutritional indexes in older adults: data from NHANES 2011–2014

## TL;DR

This study finds that nocturia is linked to depression and cognitive issues in older adults, with nutrition playing a mediating role, especially in women.

## Contribution

The study identifies nutritional indexes as mediators between nocturia, depression, and cognitive function in older adults.

## Key findings

- Nocturia is positively associated with depression and cognitive impairment in older adults.
- Albumin and hemoglobin partially mediate the relationship between cognitive and depression scores and nocturia risk.
- The associations are more pronounced in women than in men.

## Abstract

This study evaluated the correlation between nocturia, depression, and cognitive function in older adults and the mediating effect of albumin and hemoglobin on this correlation.

Data on nocturia, depression, and cognitive function from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2014 were analyzed by multiple logistic regression.

The digit symbol score (DSS) and 9-Item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores were linearly and non-linearly correlated with nocturia risk (p < 0.05). Male/female-stratified analysis showed that animal fluency scores (AFS), DSS, and PHQ-9 scores were significantly correlated with the risk of nocturia in females (p < 0.05), and PHQ-9 scores were significantly associated with the risk of nocturia in males (p < 0.05). Albumin partially mediated the association of AFS, DSS, and PHQ-9 scores with nocturia risk in women and the relationship of PHQ-9 scores with nocturia risk in men. Hemoglobin partially mediated the relationship of AFS and DSS with nocturia risk in women and the association of PHQ-9 scores with nocturia risk in men.

Nocturia is positively associated with depression and cognitive impairment in older adults, especially in women. Nutrition partially mediates the relationship between nocturia, depression, and cognitive function. Thus, improving nutrition may decrease the risk of nocturia in older adults.