Study Reveals: Nocturia Drains Nearly $215 Billion from the U.S. Economy
- A comprehensive analysis of 22,300 non-patient individuals, of which 24.4% had nocturia (defined by the study as ≥2 urinations per night), demonstrated the association between nocturia and U.S. healthcare consumption and related costs.¹
- Individuals with nocturia consumed significantly more healthcare resources (including 60% greater hospitalization rates and 19% greater outpatient visits), worked significantly fewer hours (-3.91) per week, were 30-35% less likely to be employed, and were 46% less likely to report being in very good/excellent health compared to those without nocturia, irrespective of age.¹
- Total excess costs were estimated at $214.5 billion, of which direct costs to the healthcare system comprised $62.9 billion, and indirect economic productivity costs were $151.7 billion, highlighting the necessity for timely evaluation, diagnosis and treatment.¹
Parsippany, NJ – October 1, 2019 – Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. today published a manuscript in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy demonstrating that nocturia, defined as waking up ≥2 times for nighttime urination1 (in this study), is associated with a substantial impact to the U.S. economy. Data was retrospectively evaluated from a large representative U.S. cross-sectional, non-patient survey called the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Findings suggest that timely diagnosis, followed by appropriate nocturia management, may alleviate both adverse health-related consequences as well as associated economic ramifications to patients and society.
An analytic sample of 22,300 individuals met study criteria, of which 24.4% had nocturia.1 Investigators developed a cost range with respect to known nocturia prevalence estimates obtained from scientific literature. Using sensitivity analyses, investigators determined that the lowest prevalence of nocturia would result in an annual cost of $94 billion, while the highest estimates reached up to $231 billion.1 Furthermore, individuals with nocturia had 60% higher hospitalization rates, 19% higher outpatient visit rates, and were 46% less likely to report being in “very good” or “excellent” health when compared to those without nocturia.1 Additionally, nocturia resulted in 30-35% lower likelihood of employment, and working fewer hours (-3.91) per week.¹
The total excess direct healthcare and indirect lost productivity average costs were estimated at $214.5 billion, equivalent to $3,491 per individual with nocturia.1 Direct costs to the healthcare system accounted for 29% of the total.¹
“Our study establishes that the economic impact of nocturia on the U.S. economy and healthcare system is profound, while simultaneously providing an actionable message to practicing clinicians evaluating patients,” said Jay Jhaveri, MD, MPH, lead investigator at Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.
“As patients, physicians and payors continue to learn about the deleterious consequences of nocturia, understanding the importance of timely, accurate diagnosis, and management becomes self-evident.”
Nocturia has many causes, including nocturnal polyuria. Nocturnal polyuria occurs when a person’s kidneys produce too much urine at night, causing the need to wake up to urinate in up to 88% of nocturia patients.² The cause of nocturia was not assessed in the study.
Nocturia may be a treatable condition, potentially influencing the substantial health related and economic burdens suggested by this study. Affected individuals should consult their doctors for a suitable treatment option.
About the NHANES Dataset
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database is a cross-sectional survey which examines a nationally representative sample of the U.S. of about 5,000 individuals per year. This survey, which combines interviews and physical examination, is designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children. The NHANES interview includes demographic, socioeconomic, dietary, and health-related questions, the content of which varies from year to year. Survey cycles for the interview included questions related to urinary symptoms were considered for this study (2005-2006 to 2013-2014).
About Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a research-driven biopharmaceutical company devoted to identifying, developing and marketing innovative products in the fields of reproductive health, women’s health, urology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, oncology, and orthopaedics. For more information, call 1-888-FERRING (1-888-337-7464); visit www.FerringUSA.com
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For more information, please contact
Heather Guzzi
Director, Brand Communications
Communications & Digital Innovation
+1-862-286-5254
Heather.Guzzi@ferring.com
US-URO-1900005
- Jhaveri, J., Gauthier-Loiselle, M., Gagnon-Sanschagrin, P. & Wu, E.Q. (2019). The economic burden of nocturia on the United States healthcare system and society: a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) analysis. Journal of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy. https://jmcp.org/doifull/10.18553/jmcp.2019.19191.
- Weiss, J.P., Van Kerrebroeck, P.E.V., Klein§, B.M., & Nørrgaard§, J.P. (2011). Excessive Nocturnal Urine Production Is a Major Contributing Factor to the Etiology of Nocturia. The Journal of Urology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2011.05.083.