Among elderly males, benign prostate syndrome (BPS) is the most common urinary disorder. Nocturia is one of the major symptoms of BPS and has a considerable influence on quality of life (QoL). For assessment of BPS (including nocturia), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is widely used, but questionnaires are prone to bias. To date, there is no objective measurement system available for nocturia. In this study, we present an unobtrusive and non-stigmatizing device for objective measurement of nighttime micturition. In a preliminary study of 6 males diagnosed with BPS and nighttime micturition ≥ 2 times, we showed that the device is accurate, with an average misdetection rate of 0.32 events and a mean absolute deviation of 3.8% when comparing the average number of nighttime micturition occurrences.
In this extended study, an additional 9 males were recorded and data from an occupancy sensor were also included. The results of the preliminary study were confirmed with an average misdetection rate of 0.33 events and a mean absolute deviation of 9.1%. The system can therefore be used to objectively measure nighttime micturition, and thereby provide the basis for treatment, e.g., medication efficacy assessment.