New data from University of California illuminate research in obstetrics.

According to a study from the United States, "The objective of the study was to assess urinary frequency in community-dwelling women. Voiding habits were assessed in 4061 women 25-84 years of age using survey responses from the Epidemiology of Prolapse and Incontinence Questionnaire."

"Bother related to daytime and nighttime frequency was assessed with 100-mm visual analog scales and compared using t tests and analysis of variance. Median daytime frequency was every 3-4 hours. Urinary frequency every 2 hours or more occurred in 27% and was more bothersome than every 3-4 hours or less (51.7 +/- 30.1 mm vs 23.6 +/- 23.7 mm; P <.001). Nocturia was reported in 72%, whereas 33% had 2 or more voids per night. Bother increased with increasing nighttime frequency (27.3 +/- 26.3 for 1 time vs 57.3 +/- 28.5 for>= 2 times; P

The researchers concluded: "Bothersome urinary frequency is common and occurs when frequency is at least every 2 hours by day and more than once per night."

Lukacz and colleagues published the results of their research in American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Urinary frequency in community-dwelling women: what is normal? American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2009;200(5):E1).

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