Enuresis in an adult female with obstructive sleep apnea

CPAP Treats Enuresis in Adults With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

ABSTRACT

Enuresis, or "bedwetting," in children is associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and often resolves with treatment of OSA. However, it is poorly understood whether a similar relationship exists in adults. We describe a case series of 5 adult patients in whom OSA was diagnosed by laboratory polysomnography, who presented with enuresis that resolved after treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). All cases occurred in the setting of obesity, in addition to other known risk factors for urinary incontinence and enuresis. OSA was diagnosed as severe in all but one case, which was mild. One patient noted recurrence of enuresis that coincided with malfunction of his CPAP machine. There is growing evidence that CPAP therapy may alleviate OSA and enuresis in adults with both conditions. Clinicians should routinely ask about enuresis in patients suspected of having OSA. A systematic study of the association between enuresis and OSA in adults is warranted.

Association between primary nocturnal enuresis and habitual snoring in children

OBJECTIVES

Nocturnal enuresis has been associated with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing mostly in hospital-referred adults and children. To investigate whether primary nocturnal enuresis is significantly associated with habitual snoring in the general pediatric population irrespective of subjects' age and sex, we studied children attending six randomly selected schools in a city in central Greece.

METHODS

A questionnaire regarding the symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing and the presence of nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting for at least one night per week) was answered by the children's parents.

RESULTS

A total of 1821 children (age 5 to 14 years; 896 girls) were included in the study. Of these, 135 (7.4%) were snoring more frequently than three nights per week (habitual snorers). The habitual snorers had a history of primary nocturnal enuresis more often than did nonhabitual snorers (7.4% versus 2%; odds ratio 4.00, 95% confidence interval 1.93 to 8.32). The association of primary nocturnal enuresis with habitual snoring remained significant after adjustment for age and sex (odds ratio 3.54, 95% confidence interval 1.68 to 7.44).

CONCLUSIONS

In a community sample of children, those with habitual snoring more often had primary nocturnal enuresis than did those without snoring.

Resolution of nocturnal enuresis in snoring children after treatment with nasal budesonide

Nocturnal enuresis has been associated with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea and may resolve after adenotonsillectomy. Nasal corticosteroids have improved symptoms and polysomnography findings in children with snoring. Two children with primary nocturnal enuresis, chronic nasal obstruction, and loud snoring underwent polysomnography. The apnea-hypopnea index was 4.9 and 7.3 episodes/hr, and the oxygen desaturation of hemoglobin index was 4.6 and 5.2 episodes/hr. After administration of budesonide, the frequency of snoring decreased, the polysomnography findings improved, and the enuresis resolved completely. Six months after treatment, both children were still dry at night. Administration of nasal corticosteroids is associated with resolution of enuresis in children with mild obstructive sleep-disordered breathing.

Enuresis in children with sleep apnea

OBJECTIVES

To test the hypothesis that the presence of nocturnal enuresis is related to the severity of sleep apnea, we examined the relation between the Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI, apneas plus hypopneas per hour of sleep) and the presence and severity of enuresis.

STUDY DESIGN

All children 4 years of age and older who were referred to our sleep center for suspected sleep disordered breathing (SDB) were asked whether and how frequently they currently wet the bed. All patients underwent full overnight polysomnography (PSG). The relation between RDI and enuresis was examined by chi(2) analysis. A value of P <.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Ninety boys and 70 girls were studied; 66 children (41%) described current enuresis. At all ages, enuresis was more prevalent in our patients than control patients in the literature. Children with an RDI of < or =1 had a significantly lower prevalence of enuresis (17%) than did children with an RDI >1 (47%) (P <.05). Fourteen percent of children with an RDI < or =1 had frequent enuresis, compared with 32% of children with an RDI >1 (P <.05). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of enuresis in children with an RDI 1 to 5, 5 to 15, or >15 (P =.92).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high prevalence of enuresis in children with suspected sleep-disordered breathing. Children with an RDI >1 were at higher risk for enuresis than children with an RDI < or =1. This may be due to the effects of obstructive sleep apnea on arousal response, bladder pressure, or urinary hormone secretion.

Adult onset nocturnal enuresis

PURPOSE

We determined the etiology and prognostic significance of adult onset enuresis with absent daytime incontinence. Adult onset nocturnal enuresis unassociated with daytime incontinence is uncommon and there is a paucity of information about its incidence, significance, evaluation and treatment. We present a retrospective evaluation of this condition based on a database review of more than 3,000 consecutive patients referred for the evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A database of 3,277 consecutive patients was searched for adult onset nocturnal enuresis. Patients with daytime incontinence were excluded from study. Evaluation consisted of history, physical examination, American Urological Association symptom score, voiding diary, uroflowmetry, estimation of post-void residual urine, video urodynamics, cystoscopy and radiographic evaluation of the upper tract.

RESULTS

Of 3,277 patients 8 (0.02%) had adult onset nocturnal enuresis without daytime incontinence as a primary complaint. Average American Urological Association symptom score was 12.6 (range 3 to 25), average maximum urine flow was 8.5 ml. per second (range 5 to 15) and average post-void residual urine volume was 350 ml. (range 50 to 489). All patients were men with severe prostatic or vesical neck obstruction as well as bilateral or unilateral hydronephrosis in 63%, a bladder diverticulum in 38%, vesicoureteral reflux in 50% and low bladder compliance in 50%. Transurethral prostatic resection was recommended to all patients but only 5 agreed. The other 3 cases were managed by alpha-adrenergic antagonists, including 2 by adjunctive clean intermittent self-catheterization. In all patients who underwent transurethral prostatic resection symptoms resolved, as did hydronephrosis when present.

CONCLUSIONS

Adult onset nocturnal enuresis with absent daytime incontinence is a serious symptom that usually heralds significant urethral obstruction, and a high incidence of bladder diverticulum, hydronephrosis and vesicoureteral reflux. It demands urological investigation and aggressive therapy.

Pediatric nocturnal enuresis secondary to airway obstruction from cleft palate repair

Nocturnal enuresis in children can at times be alleviated or resolved completely with surgery on the upper airway. We present a report of a 7-year-old boy in whom nocturnal enuresis began immediately after reconstructive surgery of the pharynx that caused upper airway obstruction. Enuresis diminished immediately and stopped following an adenoidectomy but resumed secondary to adenoid regrowth after more than a year of dry nights. Nocturnal enuresis was immediately and permanently relieved by adenoidectomy revision. We review the relevant literature and discuss possible physiologic relationships between upper airway obstruction and bladder and renal function.

Enuresis and obstructive sleep apnea in adults

Adult enuresis is an unusual symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Although it is described as a classic symptom of childhood OSA, enuresis is encountered infrequently in adult sleep medicine. Five adults with enuresis associated with sleep apnea presented to our Sleep Disorders Center. In all five cases, the onset of enuresis was associated with the progression of sleep apnea symptoms. In each case, the enuresis resolved with treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure. Current medical literature on the postulated mechanisms of nocturia and enuresis in sleep apnea is reviewed. Based on the experience of the authors and review of the medical literature, one may conclude that severe OSA may lead to new-onset enuresis in adults and that effective treatment of OSA is associated with resolution of enuresis.