Reduction in nocturnal functional bladder capacity is a common factor in the pathogenesis of refractory nocturnal enuresis

Posterior tibial nerve stimulation versus desmopressin in treating children with primary mono-symptomatic nocturnal enuresis. A randomized clinical trial

Objective

Assessment of the efficacy of Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS) versus Desmopressin in treating Primary Mono-symptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis (PMNE).

Patients and methods

This randomized clinical trial was conducted at the Urology department of Abo Elreesh pediatric hospital, Cairo University on 80 children, aged between 5 and 13 years old, diagnosed to have PMNE between June 2020 and November 2020. Children were divided into two equal groups; those who underwent PTNS (as one session per week for 12 weeks) (Group A) and those who received Desmopressin 0.2 mg. single evening dose for 12 weeks (Group B). Both groups were constructed to adhere to behavioral therapy and were statistically evaluated regarding the frequency of nocturnal enuresis (NE) before, after treatment, and after 1 month of follow-up.

Results

Both groups showed statistically significant improvement in the frequency of NE before and after treatment (p < 0.001), but there were no statistically significant differences between them (p = 0.763). There was a statistically significant relapse of NE frequency after 1 month of follow-up after completion of treatment in both groups (p < 0.001), with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (p = 0.075).

Conclusion

Posterior tibial nerve stimulation and Desmopressin are viable treatment options for children with primary mono-symptomatic nocturnal enuresis. However, relapse in some responders with time suggests the need for maintenance therapy.

Effects of sex, toilet training, stress, and caffeine on nocturnal enuresis among school children in Gondar Town, the metropolitan city of Ethiopia: a community-based study in 2023

Background

Nocturnal enuresis is associated with severe social and psychological problems that affect one's self-esteem, later in life, harmed adolescent and adult life, emotional stress on the family, and poor school performance. Moreover, enuresis children may cause panic attacks, mood disorders, and depression. This study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of nocturnal enuresis among children aged 5-14 years in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia, 2023.

Methods

A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1, 2023, to May 30, 2023. A stratified multistage sampling technique was used to select study subject from kebeles in Gondar city. The data were collected by using a structured, interviewer-administer Questionnaire. The data were entered using EPI DATA version 4.6.02 software, and processed,and analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 25. All variables with P ≤ 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the final model of multivariate analysis. The multivariate binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between the independent and outcome variable. The direction and strength of statistical association were measured with an adjusted odds ratio along with 95% CI and a P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Result

The overall prevalence of nocturnal enuresis among children aged 5-14 years was 162 (22.2%). The findings showed that being boys [AOR = 0.54; 95% CI (0.31, 0.93)], child and no toilet training practices [AOR = 2.50; 95% CI (1.02, 6.15)], Having no caffeine [AOR = 0.16; 95% CI (0.09, 0.29)], and exposure to stressful events [AOR = 20; 95% CI (11.12, 33.34)] had a significant association with nocturnal enuresis, p-value <0.05.

Conclusion

In this study, the prevalence of nocturnal enuresis children age 5-14 years was higher than that in previous studies. Sex of child, toilet training practices, caffeine c before bed, and presences of stressful event were a significant predictor of nocturnal enuresis.

Evaluation of the results of urodynamic studies in patients with vesicoureteral reflux

BACKGROUND

To investigate urodynamic abnormalities associated with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in toilet-trained children.

METHODS

The data of 157 children who were diagnosed with vesicoureteral reflux and referred to our hospital between 2013 and 2022 were retrospectively examined. The urodynamic parameters were analyzed and correlated with age, gender, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), reflux severity, and laterality.

RESULTS

Overall, 131 (83.4%) patients had abnormal urodynamic findings with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.4. The most common pathological finding was detrusor overactivity (DO), identified in 101 (64.3%) patients, followed by dysfunctional voiding (DV) in 74 (50.3%) patients. Children with VUR grades II and III exhibited a greater percentage of abnormal urodynamic findings than children with grades IV and V. The prevalence of DO was higher in children younger than 10 years old with unilateral and lower-grade VURs. DV was more frequent in children older than 10 years, with bilateral VUR, and higher grade VUR. The prevalence of LUTS, bowel and bladder dysfunction (BBD), and urinary tract infection (UTI) was higher among children with abnormal urodynamic findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with VUR have a high incidence of urodynamic disorders. Urodynamic dysfunction may contribute to the pathogenesis of VUR, especially in mild cases.

Nocturnal Bladder Function and Sleep in the Children with Refractory Nocturnal Enuresis: A Prospective Study

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively investigate the nocturnal bladder function and sleep in children with refractory primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (RPMNE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-three children diagnosed with RPMNE and 30 controls who had upper urinary tract abnormality but without any voiding problems were included in the study. RPMNE patients underwent a standardized investigation protocol, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire, a 7-day bladder diary, and the simultaneous ambulatory urodynamic monitoring and polysomnography (PSG); controls were evaluated using the PSQI questionnaire and PSG.

RESULTS

The children with RPMNE were subdivided into the nocturnal detrusor overactivity (NDO) case group and the non-NDO case group. The children in the NDO case group had a higher percentage of total sleep time in light sleep and a lower percentage in the N3 sleep stage than those in the non-NDO case group and control group (P <.05). The cortical arousal index and PSQI scores of both RPMNE subgroups were higher compared to the control group (P <.05). The incidences of reduced nocturnal bladder capacity (NBC) in the NDO case group were higher than in the non-NDO case group (P <.05). The frequency of involuntary detrusor contractions during sleep was positively correlated with cortical arousal index in the NDO case group (r = 0.811, P <.0001).

CONCLUSION

In addition to the reduced NBC, the RPMNE is related to abnormal NDO, increased light sleep period, and cortical arousal dysfunction. Moreover, there is a certain correlation between the abnormal degrees of NDO and cortical arousal dysfunction.

Differences in the urinary metabolome and proteome between wet and dry nights in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and nocturnal polyuria

BACKGROUND

Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is a common disease with multiple pathogenic mechanisms. This study aimed to compare levels of metabolites and proteins between wet and dry nights in urine samples from children with monosymptomatic NE (MNE).

METHODS

Ten boys with MNE and nocturnal polyuria (age: 7.6 ± 1.3 years) collected their total nighttime urine production during a wet and a dry night. Untargeted metabolomics and proteomics were performed on the urine samples by liquid chromatography coupled with high-mass accuracy tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

RESULTS

On wet nights, we found reduced urine osmolality (P = 0.025) and increased excretion of urinary potassium and sodium by a factor of, respectively, 2.1 (P = 0.038) and 1.9 (P = 0.19) compared with dry nights. LC-MS identified 59 metabolites and 84 proteins with significantly different levels between wet and dry nights (fold change (FC) < 0.67 or > 1.5, P < 0.05). Some compounds were validated by different methodologies. During wet nights, levels of compounds related to oxidative stress and blood pressure, including adrenalin, were increased. We found reduced levels of aquaporin-2 on wet nights. The FCs in the 59 metabolites were positively correlated to the FCs in the same metabolites identified in urine samples obtained during the evening preceding wet and dry nights.

CONCLUSIONS

Oxidative stress, which in the literature has been associated with nocturia and disturbances in sleep, might be increased during wet nights in children with MNE. We further found evidence of increased sympathetic activity. The mechanisms related to having wet nights in children with MNE seem complex, and both free water and solute handling appear to be important. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Urodynamic findings in children with primary refractory nocturnal enuresis: 10 years' experience of a tertiary center

Background/Aim

To identify correlations between urodynamic study (UDS) findings and urinary symptoms in children with refractory monosymptomatic and nonmonosymptomatic primary nocturnal enuresis.

Materials and Methods

A total of 96 neurologically normal children were enrolled, 44 consecutive boys and 51 consecutive girls, aged 5-18 years, of whom 41 (38.8%) had refractory monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) and 55 (61.2%) had refractory non-MNE (NMNE). We assessed the urodynamics of all children to detect any underlying bladder overactivity. A comparative analysis was carried out between the two groups of patients.

Results

Detrusor overactivity (DO), low bladder capacity, low compliance, and increased postvoid residual (PVR) were identified in 70 (72.9%), 35 (36.5%), 43, and 76 (79.2%) patients, respectively. The mean bladder compliance was 21.66 ± 14.52 mL/cmH2O (2-75 cmH2O). Of the NMNE patients, 50 (90.9%) had abnormal urodynamic findings, while 40 (97.5%) had abnormal urodynamic findings in the MNE group. There was a statistically significant relationship between NMNE and both increased PVR and abnormal voiding patterns. Both high PVR and DO were significantly associated with obstructive urinary symptoms. Constipation and history of urinary tract infection (UTI) did not significantly correlate with UDS abnormality (p = 1.0 and p = 0.49, respectively).

Conclusion

There was a high prevalence of bladder function disorders in both refractory MNE and NMNE patients in our study. This included small functional capacity, low bladder compliance, and marked DO. A nocturnal enuresis may be the only presenting symptom, however, it may be associated with bladder overactivity, UTI, and constipation; the UDS findings may aid in guiding the assessment and treatment of children suffering from primary refractory nocturnal enuresis and its association with bladder and bowel symptoms.

Combination therapy (desmopressin plus oxybutynin) improves the response rate compared with desmopressin alone in patients with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and nocturnal polyuria and absence of constipation predict the response to this treatment

Combination therapy (CT) (desmopressin plus oxybutynin) has been considered for the treatment of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE). We designed our study with the aim to evaluate the response rate to CT compared with desmopressin alone (primary outcome) and to identify factors associated with the response to CT (secondary outcome). We prospectively enrolled children with MNE with absent/partial response after 3 months of evening treatment with 240 mcg of desmopressin. We defined the response rate to CT compared with desmopressin alone according to the standardization of terminology document of the International Children's Continence Society: no-response, < 50% reduction; partial response, 50 to 99% reduction; and complete response, 100% reduction of wet nights. Both partial response and complete response to CT were clustered for the analyses of this manuscript. The enrolled children treated with 240 mcg/evening of desmopressin had also an additional evening administration of 0.3 mg/kg oxybutynin. A follow-up was scheduled at 3 and 6 months after the beginning of CT. At 3 months, oxybutynin dose was augmented to 0.5 mg/kg in case of absent/partial response to CT. Nocturnal diuresis was measured in 5 wet nights prior the beginning of therapy with desmopressin. Nocturnal polyuria (NP) was defined as nocturnal urine production > 130% of the expected bladder capacity. All patients with constipation were treated with macrogol. We enrolled 81 children (35.8% females) with a mean age of 8.4 ± 2.3 years. Seventy-eight patients completed the follow-up. After the CT, 59/78 (75.6%) patients showed an improvement of the response with CT compared with desmopressin alone. At multivariate analysis, both NP in more than 1 night (OR = 8.5; 95% CI, 1.4-51.6; p = 0.02) and absence of constipation (OR = 7.1; 95% CI, 1.6-31.0; p = 0.009) resulted significant after Bonferroni correction.

CONCLUSIONS

CT determines an improvement of response compared to therapy with desmopressin alone in 75.6% of patients. Significant predictive factors of response to CT were presence of NP and absence of constipation.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Combination therapy (CT) (desmopressin plus anticholinergic drug) has been described as a therapeutic option for patients with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) not responding to desmopressin alone as first-line treatment. • Variable protocols and variable combination of drugs have been described with a response rate ranging from 44 to 76%.

WHAT IS NEW

• We found that 59 patients (75.6%) treated with evening administration of 240 mcg of sublingual desmopressin plus 0.3-0.5 mg/kg of oxybutynin had an improvement of response compared to treatment with desmopressin alone. • We add evidence that presence of frequently recurring nocturnal polyuria and absence of constipation are predictors of response to CT.

Bibliometric and visual analysis of nocturnal enuresis from 1982 to 2022

Nocturnal enuresis is a common disorder among children that seriously affects physical and mental health and has become a social problem. Bibliometric analysis is a valid way to examine existing research results, current research hotspots and research frontiers. Current studies on nocturnal enuresis are numerous and complex, but a bibliometric analysis of the existing research on nocturnal enuresis has yet to be published. To better identify the research trends and frontiers in nocturnal enuresis, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive review and analysis. We used bibliometric and visualization methods to analyze the 1,111 papers published between 1982 and 2022 from the Web of Science core collection. Basic information about the country, institution, and authors was analyzed, which led to a basic understanding of nocturnal enuresis. The United States is the most prolific country, Ghent University is the most influential institution, and Rittig Soren is the most prominent scholar. The frequency of keywords, clustering, and the cited literature were analyzed to understand the hotspots and frontiers of research, and a brief review of the highly cited literature was conducted. The current research hotspots are the treatment modalities for nocturnal enuresis, epidemiological investigations, and the exploration of pathogenesis. Clinical research, adenoidectomy, aquaporin 2, and response inhibition are potential research hotspots. The standardization of terminology in nocturnal enuresis and the pathologies of polyuria and sleep disorder are at the forefront of research. In summary, the results of our bibliometric analysis reveal views on the current situation and the trend of nocturnal enuresis research for the first time. This study may provide guidance for promoting research on nocturnal enuresis.

Problems with enuresis management-A personal view

Much has happened since the end of the era when enuresis was blamed on the parents or the children themselves. Still, there are large gaps in our knowledge and large parts of modern enuresis management guidelines are (still) not based on firm evidence. In this review I will question the following commonly made assumptions regarding enuresis evaluation and treatment: •It is important to subdivide enuresis according to the presence of daytime symptoms•Voiding charts are crucial in the primary evaluation of the enuretic child•All children with enuresis need to be screened for behavioral or psychiatric issues•Concomittant daytime incontinence needs to be successfully treated before addressing the enuresis•Concomittant constipation needs to be successfully treated before addressing the enuresis•Urotherapy is a first-line treatment against enuresis In this review I will argue that much of what we do with these children is based more on experience and well-meant but poorly supported assumptions than on evidence. Some advice and therapies are probably ineffective whereas for other treatments we lack reliable predictors of treatment response. More research is obviously needed, but awaiting new results enuresis management could be substantially simplified.

Pharmacotherapy for female nocturia

Background: In 2018, nocturia and nocturnal lower urinary tract function definitions were updated in a clinically and practically based consensus report by the International Continence Society Standardization Steering Committee. Previous research has suggested that the pathophysiology of nocturia has a multifactorial etiology, including obstructive sleep apnea, overactive bladder syndrome, diabetes mellitus, sleep disturbance, congestive heart failure, primary polydipsia, and other factors.Current Concepts: Three main mechanisms have been identified: low functional bladder capacity, nocturnal polyuria, and diurnal polyuria (24-hour polyuria). Multifactorial pathophysiology implies multiple possible targets for therapeutic intervention, and suggests that it is unlikely that one treatment modality, including drugs, will be successful in all patients. The bladder diary is the most important diagnostic tool.Discussion and Conclusion: Strong evidence supports the efficacy of desmopressin and continuous positive pressure breathing. Antimuscarinic drugs for treating nocturia display limited usefulness because of their low efficacy for nocturnal polyuria. Management of nocturia may require a multidisciplinary approach to visualization and phenotyping of patients for diagnosis and therapy.

Effect of desmopressin lyophilisate (MELT) plus anticholinergics combination on functional bladder capacity and therapeutic outcome as the first-line treatment for primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis: A randomized clinical trial

PURPOSE

To assess the efficacy of desmopressin plus anticholinergic combination therapy as first-line treatment for children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) and to analyze this combination's effect on functional bladder capacity (FBC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 99 children with PMNE were prospectively enrolled from 2015 to 2019 and randomly allocated to a monotherapy group (n=49), with oral desmopressin lyophilisate (MELT) only; and a combination group (n=50), with desmopressin plus an anticholinergic (propiverine 5 mg). Efficacy and FBC were evaluated at 1 and 3 months after treatment initiation; the relapse rate was assessed at 6 months after treatment cessation.

RESULTS

The combination therapy group showed a higher rate of complete response than the monotherapy group after 3 months of treatment (44.0% vs. 22.4%, p=0.002). A significant increase in mean FBC was observed only in the combination group, from 88.72±26.34 mL at baseline to 115.52±42.23 mL at 3 months of treatment (p=0.024). Combination therapy was significantly associated with treatment success at 3 months after treatment initiation (odds ratio [OR], 3.527; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.203-6.983; p=0.011) and decreased risk of relapse at 6 months after treatment cessation (OR, 0.306; 95% CI, 0.213-0.894; p=0.021), by multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study represents the first prospective, randomized controlled trial showing higher response rates and lower relapse rates with desmopressin plus anticholinergic combination therapy compared with desmopressin monotherapy as first-line treatment for children with PMNE.

Pathogenesis and brain functional imaging in nocturnal enuresis: A review

Nocturnal enuresis is a common and distressing developmental disease, which may cause various degrees of psychosocial stress and impairment to self-esteem in affected children as well as agitation to their parents or caregivers. Nevertheless, the etiology and pathogenesis of nocturnal enuresis are not understood. Currently, nocturnal enuresis is generally considered a multifactorial disease associated with a complex interaction of somatic, psychosocial, and environmental factors. A variety of postulations have been proposed to explain the occurrence and progression of nocturnal enuresis, including hereditary aberration, abnormal circadian rhythm of antidiuretic hormone secretion during sleep, bladder dysfunction, abnormal sleep, difficulties in arousal, neuropsychological disorders, and maturational delays of the brain. In recent decades, the introduction of functional neuroimaging technologies has provided new approaches for uncovering the mechanisms underlying nocturnal enuresis. The main neuroimaging modalities have included brain morphometry based on structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), task-based and event-related functional MRI (fMRI), and resting-state fMRI. The relevant studies have indicated that nocturnal enuresis is associated with functional and structural alterations of the brain. In this review, we briefly summarized the popular hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of nocturnal enuresis and the current progress of functional neuroimaging studies in examining the underlying mechanisms thereof.

Bladder and voiding dysfunction in adolescents with anorexia nervosa: a novel finding and potential causes

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the bladder capacity (BC) and bladder dynamics of adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN).

METHODS

The participants consisted of 15 adolescents newly diagnosed with AN according to the DSM 5 criteria and in the acute weight loss period who were questioned about the symptoms of lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction. Functional bladder capacity (FBC) and voided volume with uroflowmetry were measured for each subject; the larger volume of the two was chosen for the bladder capacity. Uroflowmetry was used to obtain uroflow curves for the participants whose patterns were labeled as pathologic if they were outside the bell-shape.

RESULTS

Fourteen (93.3%) of the patients exhibited at least one of the LUT dysfunction symptoms (pathologic voiding symptom/urinary incontinence/pathologic uroflow pattern). BC was observed to increase in 86.6% (n = 13) of the patients. Eighty% of the patients (n = 12) showed pathological uroflow patterns. In patients with pathological uroflow patterns, which showed insufficiency of bladder contraction, assistance of abdominal muscles was needed during voiding.

CONCLUSION

The novel findings presented in this study are the increase of BC in adolescents with AN, the presence of at least one type of voiding or bladder dysfunction, and the pathology of uroflow patterns of most patients show that the bladder dynamics is affected in AN. The most important contribution of this study to the literature is that impaired bladder dynamics was determined to be a medical complication of AN.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Case-control analytic study, Level III.

Evaluation of Functional Bladder Capacity in Children with Nocturnal Enuresis According to Type and Treatment Outcome

Purpose

This study aimed to identify whether functional bladder capacity (FBC) differs among subgroups of nocturnal enuresis (NE) patients and can be used to predict treatment response.

Methods

A total of 69 children with NE were included in this study between July 2017 and February 2019 according to medical chart review, retrospectively. All patients completed a questionnaire about voiding symptoms and 48-hour frequency/volume (48-h F/V) charts. FBC was obtained from the 48-h F/V charts and uroflowmetry (UFM) with post-void residual volume (PVR). All patients were primarily treated with standard urotherapy and pharmacological therapy. The response rate was analyzed at 3 months after treatment.

Results

The mean age of the 69 patients (42 male, 27 female) was 83.3 ± 22.4 months (range, 5–13 years) at the first visit. The percentages of children with monosymptomatic NE (MNE) and non-monosymptomatic NE (NMNE) on the questionnaire were 40.6% (28/69) and 59.4% (41/69), respectively. FBC of all patients was lower than the normal range of expected bladder capacity, and there were no significant differences between measurement methods, NE types (MNE vs NMNE), or response rates (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Children with NE had diminished FBC in both 48-h F/V charts and UFM with PVR. We found no difference in FBC by NE type or treatment outcome. Therefore, FBC cannot be used to distinguish between NE types or predict treatment responses.

Exploration of the Optimal Desmopressin Treatment in Children With Monosymptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis: Evidence From a Chinese Cohort

Objectives: Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is a common pediatric condition, and desmopressin (dDAVP) is a first-line therapy for NE. The standard initial dosage of dDAVP is 0. 2 mg/day, and most guidelines recommend that the dose should be increased at 0.2 mg increments until dryness is achieved or to the maximal recommended dose. However, previous evidence has shown that this strategy seems insufficient to further improve efficacy and results in unnecessarily high doses for some patients. Our study aimed to assess the efficacy of our modified dDAVP treatment regimen in children with MNE in China and evaluate predictive factors associated with the dDAVP response. Methods: All MNE patients at the Department of Nephrology at Children's Hospital of Fudan University from January to December 2019 were prospectively and consecutively enrolled. dDAVP treatment comprised a dose titration period and a 3-month maintenance period. The efficacy of dDAVP was assessed according to the latest International Children's Continence Society criteria at the end of the study. Predictive factors were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Results: Overall, 322 MNE patients were enrolled in our study, and 225 (69.9%) completed the study. The intention to treat analysis showed that the overall dDAVP response rate was 69.9%: among these patients 32.3% were complete responders, and 37.6% were partial responders. At the end of the study, 194/225 (86.2%) patients received a final dose of 0.2 mg, 24/225 (10.7%) patients received a final dose of 0.3 mg, and 7/225 (3.1%) patients received a final dose of 0.4 mg. Multivariate analysis showed that patients requiring lower doses to achieve responses were significantly more likely to experience complete response during the maintenance period [odds ratio (OR)=9.683; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.770-33.846]. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the dDAVP treatment regimen provides a comparable efficacy to the international conventional treatment regimen with a lower overall dose. Low-dose responders were likely to achieve a complete response without increasing the dose; in these cases, the maximum dose might not be necessary.

Can we predict the success of prostatic surgery for male lower urinary tract symptoms: ICI-RS 2018?

AIMS

Male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common and bothersome symptoms in the aging population, of which the etiology is multifactorial. Prostatic surgery may be considered to alleviate some of these LUTS, especially in patients in which benign prostatic obstruction is believed to be the underlying cause. The aim of this paper is to discuss underlying pathophysiology, signs, and conditions that may lead to success or failure after prostatic surgery in male patients with LUTS.

METHODS

The paper is a report of presentations and subsequent discussions at the annual International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society, in June 2018 in Bristol.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Unfavorable outcomes after prostatic surgery are reported in 25% to 30% of the patients. This may be due to persistent or de novo symptoms, related to the multifactorial origin of symptoms. Specific underlying conditions such as with detrusor overactivity, detrusor underactivity, and nocturnal polyuria are discussed in their relationship with prostatic surgery. Knowledge gaps are addressed and specific research questions proposed.

Enuretic children have a higher variability in REM sleep when comparing their sleep parameters with nonenuretic control children using a wearable sleep tracker at home

PURPOSE

That children with nocturnal enuresis ("bedwetting") are deep sleepers is a fact that their parents often state when asking for advice. However, until today no clear difference in sleep has been observed between children who do and do not wet the bed. This study investigates the difference in sleep parameters and heart rate variability (HRV) between enuretic and control children in their home setting by using a wearable sleep tracker during a long observation period.

METHODS

Twenty-one enuretic and 18 control children, aged 6 to 12 years old, slept with a wearable sleep tracker device, a Fitbit Charge 2, for 14 consecutive days. In addition, nocturnal urine production (voided volumes and/or weight of the diaper) were measured. The HRV was calculated using the standard time and frequency domain parameters. The Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to evaluate the differences in the sleep and HRV parameters between both groups.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy controls, enuretic children showed a higher standard deviation (P = .0209) of minutes spent in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep among the different nights. In addition, they showed the tendencies to fewer awakenings (P = .1161), although this was not significant. Analyzing the wet nights of the enuretic children, they showed higher autonomic activity, lower sleep efficiency and a higher restlessness compared with their dry nights and to the control group.

CONCLUSION

This 2-weeks sleep-study, using a wrist-worn sleep tracker device Fitbit Charge 2, in the normal home environment has shown that enuretic children have a larger variation in their REM sleep and sleepless efficiently during a wet night when compared with non-bedwetting children.

Brazilian consensus in enuresis-recomendations for clinical practice

Introduction

Enuresis, defined as an intermittent urinary incontinence that occurs during sleep, is a frequent condition, occurring in about 10% of children at 7 years of age. However, it is frequently neglected by the family and by the primary care provider, leaving many of those children without treatment. Despite of many studies in Enuresis and recent advances in scientific and technological knowledge there is still considerable heterogeneity in evaluation methods and therapeutic approaches.

Materials and Methods

The board of Pediatric Urology of the Brazilian Society of Urology joined a group of experts and reviewed all important issues on Enuresis and elaborated a draft of the document. On September 2018 the panel met to review, discuss and write a consensus document.

Results and Discussion

Enuresis is a multifactorial disease that can lead to a diversity of problems for the child and family. Children presenting with Enuresis require careful evaluation and treatment to avoid future psychological and behavioral problems. The panel addressed recommendations on up to date choice of diagnosis evaluation and therapies.

Urinary nerve growth factor can predict therapeutic efficacy in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis

AIM

To determine the urinary levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) and evaluate whether these factors can be used as biomarkers for the treatment outcome.

METHODS

NGF and BDNF levels were measured and compared in 38 children (28 boys and 10 girls) with MNE and 25 children (18 boys and 7 girls) with no urinary symptoms were assessed. The mean ages in the patient and control groups were 9 and 10 years, respectively (P = .49). The patients were treated with either alarm or desmopressin therapy.

RESULTS

The urinary NGF/creatinine and BDNF/creatinine ratios were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (P = .0003 and P = .0095, respectively). NGF and BDNF levels showed a significant positive correlation (P = .0020, r = 0.40). With respect to the degree of response, 19 patients (50%) showed complete response (CR) or partial response (PR), and 19 patients (50%) showed nonresponse (NR). The urinary NGF/creatinine and BDNF/creatinine ratios were significantly higher in the NR group than in the CR and PR groups (P = .0003 and P = .0003, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Urinary NGF/creatinine and BDNF/creatinine ratios were significantly higher in children with MNE than in healthy controls. Urinary NGF/creatinine can be predictive factors of a poor treatment outcome in children with MNE.

Understanding of and misconceptions around monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis: findings from patient and physician surveys

BACKGROUND

Monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) is a common paediatric condition, caused by the interaction of multiple physiological mechanisms. The condition can lead to psychiatric comorbidities that are detrimental to quality of life but is under-recognised and misunderstood by society and healthcare providers.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to gather information from non-specialist physicians on their understanding of enuresis in selected European countries and from patients about the prevalence of MNE, its relationship with comorbidities and the burden of the condition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between June 2016 and March 2017, physicians and patients in Alpe-Adria, Italy, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Slovakia were asked to complete different surveys on their understanding of the medical condition, its impact on the lives of patients and the prevalence of comorbidities. Surveys were translated into local languages. Survey responses were collated, and data were presented descriptively.

RESULTS

Overall, 261 physicians (paediatricians comprising nearly two-thirds) and 340 patients (approximately two-thirds were male) completed their respective surveys. Most physicians (67%) believed MNE to be caused by circadian variation of antidiuretic hormone but also mentioned psychological factors as a cause (48%). The most common explanation for MNE given by patients was psychological factors (26%), but 17% gave no explanation. For patients, difficulties related to enuresis were often behavioural (77%), including difficulties at school (61%) and with sleeping (40%). Physicians perceived low self-esteem (32%), anxiety (24%) and embarrassment (17%) as having the greatest impact on patients. There was disagreement among physicians about which discipline is best placed to treat MNE. Favoured treatments were not necessarily consistent with evidence-based guidelines, with lifestyle changes and pharmacological interventions cited most frequently.

DISCUSSION

The findings of these complementary surveys illustrate that the causes and best treatment of MNE are subject to misconceptions on the part of both the physician and the patient's caregiver. Overall, MNE is perceived as a psychological condition, rather than having a multifactorial pathophysiological basis with a substantial psychological impact. Educational initiatives for healthcare practitioners and the public should help to optimise the understanding of MNE and care of patients.

Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Nasal Obstruction, and Enuresis in Children With Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and Palate: A Prevalence Study

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), nasal obstruction, and enuresis in children with nonsyndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate.

DESIGN

Prospective cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Referral care center.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred seventy-four children aged 6 to 12 years of both genders.

INTERVENTIONS

Symptoms of OSA and nasal obstruction were investigated by analysis of scores obtained by the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) and Congestion Quantifier (CQ-5). Enuresis was considered as present when urinary loss was reported during sleep (at least 1 episode/month, last 3 months). To characterize the enuresis as mono- or polysymptomatic, symptoms of dysfunction of the lower urinary tract (DLUT) were investigated by the Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System (DVSS). Statistical analysis was performed at a 5% level of significance.

RESULTS

Positive SDSC scores for OSA were observed in 60 (34%) children; positive CQ-5 scores for nasal obstruction in 45 (26%), positive DVSS scores for DLUT in 30 (17%), and enuresis was reported by 29 (17%), being categorized as primary in 66% and polysymptomatic in 72% of the children. Compared to the pediatric population, OSA, nasal obstruction, and enuresis prevalence ratios were up to 7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 5-9), 2 (95% CI 2-3), and 3 times (95% CI 2-5) higher, respectively. There was a positive/moderate correlation between symptoms of OSA and nasal obstruction ( P = .0001). No correlation was seen between symptoms of OSA and enuresis.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate have high prevalence of nasal obstruction and enuresis and are at risk of OSA.

Evidence of reduced bladder capacity during nighttime in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis

INTRODUCTION

Bladder capacity in children with nocturnal enuresis is assessed by maximal voided volumes (MVV) obtained through daytime frequency volume (FV) charts. Although a degree of association has been demonstrated, daytime MVV does not consistently correspond with the nocturnal bladder capacity (NBC) in monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE). It was hypothesized that isolated reduced NBC is a common phenomenon in children with nocturnal enuresis, despite normal daytime bladder function.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate NBC in children with MNE and normal daytime voided volumes. Specifically, it aimed to determine the prevalence and degree of reduced NBC when using nocturnal urine production (NUP) during wet nights as a surrogate estimate of NBC. Furthermore, it aimed to investigate the relationship between NBC and desmopressin response.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 103 children aged 5-15 years consecutively treated for MNE in a tertiary referral centre and with normal MVV on daytime FV charts were collected for this cohort study. Home recordings were completed for 2 weeks at baseline and during desmopressin dose titration. Estimated nocturnal bladder capacity (eNBC) was assessed separately each night as the total NUP causing a wet night. If NUP during a wet night was less than MVV, it was considered to be reduced eNBC during that particular night.

RESULTS

Surprisingly, 82% (n = 84) of the children with MNE and normal daytime MVV experienced at least one wet night, with NUP below the daytime MVV indicative of a reduced eNBC. For 84 patients, mean percentage of wet nights with reduced eNBC (NUP below MVV) was 49% (SD ± 31). A total of 11% of children with frequently reduced eNBC (>40% of wet nights with reduced eNBC) responded to desmopressin (Summary Fig.). Of the children with frequently reduced NBC, 91% experienced wet nights, with NUP <65% of expected bladder capacity (EBC).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant proportion of children with MNE and normal MVV during the daytime frequently experienced wet nights, with a NUP well below their MVV and even <65% of EBC. This indicated that bladder reservoir dysfunction during sleep is relatively common in MNE. This abnormality was not reflected on daytime recordings, and thus nighttime data with NUP must be collected. This phenomenon may explain treatment failure to desmopressin, despite adequate antidiuretic response.

Evaluation of the effect of 3-month bladder basic advice in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis

INTRODUCTION

Advice (BBA) into the standards of patients' care in both monosymptomatic and non-monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. Although the idea of this recommendation was clear and reflects clinical experience, duration and efficacy have not been definitely established. Recent data have demonstrated the lack of efficacy of BBA and a fierce discussion has ensued. The present study was aimed to assess the efficacy of BBA in a group of previously untreated children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE).

STUDY DESIGN

The study was a prospective interventional multicenter trial in a cohort of previously untreated MNE patients. Forty-nine children (36 males, 13 females, mean age 7.2 years) were included in the analysis. The treatment efficacy was assessed at the 30th, 60th, and 90th days of BBA.

RESULTS

We discovered that the mean number of wet nights decreased significantly (p < 0.001) only after 3 months of BBA from 8.9 to 5.9 episodes every 2 weeks. BBA was fully successful in 2% o the children after 30 day, 12% after 60 days, and 18% after 90 days (Figure). Partial response (by ICCS) was assessed for 8%, 20%, and 34% of the patients. We noted a relatively high rate of non-responders that decreased from 90% to 47% after 90 days. We detected no differences in BBA efficacy between children with night-time polyuria or decreased maximal voided volume. A lower number of wet nights initially predicted the response to the BBA.

DISCUSSION

Our study confirmed rather limited efficacy of BBA, similarly to previous observations, but provided more information on isolated MNE, because of a more specific study group and longer period of observation. The limitation of the study was lack of randomization.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed that in treatment-naïve children with monosymptomatic enuresis basic bladder training had a low (18%) and late effect, mostly pronounced after the third month of therapy. It seems that only if the patient presents with a favorable profile of bedwetting, occasionally and with a high maximum voided volume, it is worth maintaining BBA for a longer period of up to 3 months before initiating second-line therapy. In an unfavorable initial profile desmopressin or an alarm may be introduced much earlier.

Association between allergic disease, sleep-disordered breathing, and childhood nocturnal enuresis: a population-based case-control study

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the associations between allergic disease, sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), and childhood nocturnal enuresis (NE). We examined whether allergic disease and SDB were associated with childhood NE.

METHODS

Data were assessed from the 2007-2012 Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. We enrolled 4308 children aged 5-18 years having NE diagnosis and age- and sex-matched 4308 children as the control group. The odds ratios of NE were calculated to determine an association with preexisting allergic disease and SDB.

RESULTS

A total of 8616 children were included in the analysis. Prevalence of allergic diseases and SDB was significantly higher for the NE group than the control group (all p < 0.001). After adjusting odds ratios for potential confounding factors, except asthma, children with allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) had significantly higher odds of NE compared with children never diagnosed. With stratification for sex, girls with allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, OSA, and snoring had significantly higher odds of NE, compared with girls never diagnosed. Only boys with allergic rhinitis and OSA were associated with increased odds of NE. With stratification for age, children aged 5-12 years with allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and OSA had significantly higher odds of NE compared with those never diagnosed. Odds of NE increased with the number of comorbid allergic diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

Allergic diseases and SDB are associated with increased odds of childhood NE. The odds of NE increased with the number of comorbid allergic diseases present.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Short-term Treatment and Repeat Treatment of Nocturnal Enuresis Using an Enuresis Alarm

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of a 3-month enuresis alarm (EA) treatment and repeat EA treatment among pediatric patients with nocturnal enuresis, and to compare patient characteristics among "responders" and "nonresponders" to treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical outcomes were retrospectively evaluated for 137 children (94 boys and 43 girls, mean age, 10.1 years). Effectiveness was evaluated after an initial 3-month treatment, using the International Children's Continence Society criteria. Among children in the no-response group at 3 months, those who continued the EA treatment for ≥4 months were subclassified into group 1, whereas children who repeated the EA treatment at an interval ≥6 months were subclassified into group 2.

RESULTS

Among our 137 cases, 19 achieved complete response and 47 achieved partial response at 3 months, for an overall treatment effectiveness rate of 48%. Among the no-response group, treatment was extended in 17 cases (group 1), with 3 (18%) achieving a successful outcome. Treatment was repeated in 18 cases (group 2). In group 2, 8 (44%) achieved successful outcome at 3-month time point. Daytime urinary incontinence did not modify treatment effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

EA treatment should be given for a short period of time and should not be continued without a definite purpose or clear response. Suspending and then repeating this treatment after an appropriate interval is effective for patients who do not respond to the initial course of treatment.

The effectiveness of biofeedback therapy in children with monosymptomatic enuresis resistant to desmopressin treatment

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of biofeedback therapy on children with desmopressin- resistant primary monosymptomatic enuresis (MsE).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study comprised both retrospective and prospective sections. A total of 262 medical files of patients who were diagnosed as enuresis between November 2012 and January 2015 were retrospectively screened. Patients with neuropathic bladder, daytime voiding problems, anatomical pathology and enuresis-related diseases were excluded from the study. The demographic data and family characteristics of 29 children with desmopressin- resistantprimary MsE were recorded. After biofeedback treatment patients whose frequency of enuretic episodes decrease by more than 50% were included in the successful biofeedback treatment group (SBTG), while other patients were categorized in the unsuccessful biofeedback treatment group (USGBT). The outcomes of uroflowmetry, voided volume, postvoiding residue (PVR) and total bladder volume/age-adjusted normal bladder capacity (TBV/NBC) were recorded before and at the sixth month of the treatment.

RESULTS

The mean age of 29 patients included in the study was 9.14±3.07 (6-15) years. Of patients, 16 were male (55.2%) and 13 were female (44.8%). Before biofeedback treatment the frequency of enuresis was 25.1±5.76 days/month, while after treatment this was calculated as 8.52±10.07 days/month. After treatment 8 patients (28.6%) achieved complete dryness. Twenty patients (69%), benefited from biofeedback (SBTG), while there were 9 patients (31%) in the USBTG group. There was no significant difference between the SBTG and USBTG groups in terms of age, body mass index and sex. The average bladder capacity of the patients increased from 215 mL to 257 mL after biofeedback treatment (p<0.001). The TBV/NBC value before treatment was 0.66, while after treatment it was 0.77 (p<0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between the SBTG and USBTG groups in terms of presence of MsE in mother, and both parents (p=0.001, p=0.016, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Biofeedback therapy is a safe, simple, and minimally invasive treatment modality in children with MsE resistant to desmopressin treatment. This treatment, which was found to increase total bladder capacity, may be recommended for children with MsE when conventional desmopressin treatment fails.

Translational Research for Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction

This review provides a comprehensive view of translational research aimed at elucidating the pathophysiology of pediatric lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). A web search was conducted according to combinations of keywords, and the significance of each article was defined by the author. The dramatic evolution of the mass analysis method of genomes, transcripts, and proteins has enabled a comprehensive analysis of molecular events underlying diseases, and these methodologies have also been applied to pediatric LUTD. In genetic analyses of syndromes underlying daytime incontinence, urofacial (Ochoa) syndrome may be creating a prototype of a new research approach. Nocturnal enuresis has long been studied genetically, and several candidate loci have been reported. However, the pursuit for enuresis genes has been abandoned partly because genetic association and enuresis phenotype (bladder or renal type) could not be linked. Enuresis associated with diabetes insipidus has provided new insights into the etiology of the diseases. A chronobiological approach may shed new light on this area. Posterior urethral valves and neurogenic bladders have attracted the interest of pediatric urologists to the smooth muscle biology of the bladder. Bladder exstrophy and cloacal anomalies are rare but major anomalies caused by defective urorectal development and have recently been studied from a genetic standpoint. Translational studies for pediatric LUTD may be extended to adult bladder disease, or to application of precision medicine for diseased children.

The pathophysiology of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis with special emphasis on the circadian rhythm of renal physiology

Nocturnal polyuria in monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) has so far mainly been attributed to a disturbed circadian rhythm of renal water handling. Low vasopressin levels overnight correlate with absent maximal concentrating activity, resulting in an increased nocturnal diuresis with low urinary osmolality. Therefore, treatment with desmopressin is a rational choice. Unfortunately, 20 to 60 % of children with monosymptomatic enuresis are desmopressin-resistant. There is increasing evidence that other disturbed circadian rhythms might play a role in nocturnal polyuria. This review focuses on renal aspects in the pathophysiology of nocturnal polyuria in MNE, with special emphasis on circadian rhythms. Articles related to renal circadian rhythms and enuresis were searched through the PubMed library with the goal of providing a concise review.

CONCLUSION

Nocturnal polyuria can only partially be explained by blunted circadian rhythm of vasopressin secretion. Other alterations in the intrinsic renal circadian clock system also seem to be involved, especially in desmopressin-resistant enuresis.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Disturbance in the circadian rhythm of arginine vasopressin secretion is related to nocturnal polyuria in children with enuresis. • Desmopressin is recommended as a treatment for monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis, working as a vasopressin analogue acting on V2 receptors in the collecting ducts of the kidney. What is New: • Other renal circadian rhythms might play a role in nocturnal polyuria, especially in desmopressin-resistant case.

Immediate 1-month efficacy of desmopressin and anticholinergic combination therapy versus desmopressin monotherapy in the treatment of pediatric enuresis: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have proposed the combination of desmopressin and anticholinergic as a treatment regimen to address the pathophysiology of polyuria and bladder dysfunction in pediatric enuresis. However, the available literature is inconsistent with regards to the immediate 1-month efficiency of the combination therapy in the treatment for pediatric enuresis.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to assess the immediate 1-month efficacy and safety of desmopressin and anticholinergic agent combination therapy versus desmopressin monotherapy in the treatment of pediatric enuresis using meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic literature acquisition was carried out on electronic medical databases up to April 2015. RCTs relevant to the topic were critically appraised. Dichotomous data of the 1-month post-treatment response rate (defined as ≥90% reduction of wet nights) were extracted for calculation of the risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The Mantel-Haenszel method with the random effects model was used to pool effect estimates. Inter-study heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed. Subgroup analysis was done for the desmopressin treatment-naive versus treatment-resistant groups: PROSPERO (CRD42015017922).

RESULTS

Four RCTs of good methodological quality without heterogeneity were included for meta-analysis. The pooled effect estimates showed that combination therapy was associated with a significantly better immediate 1-month response rate than desmopressin monotherapy. Subgroup analysis showed a greater immediate 1-month response rate among desmopressin-resistant patients than treatment-naive patients. No severe adverse events were noted among combination therapy treated groups.

DISCUSSION

The limitation of the current meta-analyses is the small sample size, albeit with high-quality studies pooled for effect estimation. Despite the limitation, the study results were able to consistently illustrate a large treatment effect of combination therapy among desmopressin treatment-resistant patients. It was consistent with the literature review of retrospective and non-comparative studies by Alloussi et al. (2011), who summarized a similar impressive treatment outcome. However, due to the low level of evidence available at the time of their study, only a grade B-C recommendation was given to combination therapy as an approach for second-line treatment. This study also summarized that combination therapy was well tolerated and similar to desmopressin monotherapy.

CONCLUSION

This study was able to summarize the immediate 1-month efficacy of combination therapy compared with desmopressin monotherapy in the treatment of pediatric enuresis. For both treatment-naive and desmopressin-resistant pediatric enuresis, combination therapy of desmopressin with an anticholinergic agent is well tolerated and resulted in a significantly better immediate 1-month response rate than desmopressin monotherapy.

Sleep fragmentation and periodic limb movements in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and polyuria

BACKGROUND

Children with nocturnal enuresis (NE) have been found to have sleep fragmentation and a high incidence of periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS). This study explored the association of monosymptomatic NE and polyuria in relation to fluid intake, bladder volume, number of wet nights, and number of nights with polyuria to the frequency of PLMS and cortical arousals during sleep.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty children with monosymptomatic NE and polyuria were enrolled in the study. Enuretic parameters were determined by diaries, forced drinking, uroflow, and ultrasound examination. All subjects participated in one polysomnographic study. The number of cortical arousals and PLMS were compared with those recorded in a former pilot study which included only children with refractory NE.

RESULTS

Of the 30 children who participated in the study, the mean age was 10.43 ± 3.08 (range 6-16) years, and 23 were boys. The PLMS index was positively associated with the arousal index and the awakening index (p < 0.001). No significant association between the sleep and the enuretic parameters was found. Children with refractory NE showed a significantly higher PLMS index (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that PLMS and cortical arousals in sleep were increased in children with monosymptomatic NE and polyuria, without a significant association with the enuretic parameters. These observations suggest the presence of a comorbid mechanism driven by a common, independent pacemaker. We hypothesize the autonomic system, its sympathetic branch, and the dopaminergic system as candidates for this pacemaker.

Desmopressin, Imipramine, and Oxybutynin in the Treatment of Primary Nocturnal Enuresis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background:

Nocturnal enuresis is the most common pediatric urologic problem in outpatient clinics.

Objectives:

To assess the effect of various monotherapies, and comparing the effects of desmopressin, imipramine, and oxybutynin in children with enuresis, as well as the influence of socioeconomic and cultural factors of their families on the response and relapse rates.

Patients and Methods:

The study was a randomized clinical trial conducted on 92 children aged 5 - 14 years, referred to the pediatric clinic of Semnan University Hospital in Semnan, Iran. Children with primary nocturnal enuresis were randomly allocated to three different treatment groups: desmopressin (n = 30), imipramine (n = 31), and oxybutynin (n = 31) all for 6 weeks. The socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of all participants were recorded. The number of wet nights per week was noted at the end of the 6-week-trial, and children were followed up to three months for relapse.

Results:

Children in the oxybutynin group showed a slightly higher response rate (71.0% success) and a lower relapse rate (31.8%), while in the desmopressin group the response and relapse rates were 63.3% and 57.9%, respectively, and in the imipramine group 61.3% and 63.2%, respectively. However, the difference between the 3 groups in terms of response (P = 0.701) and relapse rates (P = 0.095) was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

There is no significant difference between monotherapy with desmopressin, imipramine or oxybutynin in children with enuresis. However, oxybutynin showed a higher response rate and a lower relapse rate compared to other medications. More clinical trials with a larger sample size are needed to clarify these uncertainties.

Nocturnal enuresis: A topic review and institution experience

The objective is to provide a review of nocturnal enuresis (NE), including its epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, evaluation, and current management. We also set to provide further insight on the treatment of this condition from the experience derived from patients cared for at our tertiary-care institution. NE affects approximately 15% of all children at 5-year-old, affecting boys more frequently than girls. At our large university tertiary pediatric urology center, NE and incontinence, in general, is one the most common chief complaints prompting urologic care. In this review, we examine the condition in detail, highlighting specific goals of the initial evaluation and treatment. We contrast the commonly implemented treatment recommendations, available from the literature with strategies we have found valuable from our extensive experience in treating patients with this disorder. Using current urologic reference textbooks, book chapters, Medline, journal articles and reviews describing the many aspects of NE were reviewed in order to describe NE and the current practices at our institution. Although, this is not a systematic literature review, it includes relevant available research, institutional experience and urological expert opinion and current practices at a tertiary state health facility. The treatment of NE remains a challenge for many pediatricians and pediatric urologists. This likely stems from the multiple possible etiologies of the disorder. We have established a treatment algorithm at our institution, which we have found successful in the majority of our patients. This consists of starting patients on urotherapy, then offering both the enuresis alarm device and medication therapy as first line treatments, and finally adding anticholingerics for combination therapy. Our hope is with further research the treatment of NE will continue to improve.

The biofeedback treatment for non-monosymptomatic enuresis nocturna

AIMS

Enuresis is a child older than 5 years wetting in discrete portions during sleep. It has two subgroups: monosymptomatic enuresis nocturna (MSEN) and non-monosymptomatic enuresis nocturna (NMSEN). In this research, we specifically aimed to examine the effect of biofeedback in NMSEN.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the hospital records of 182 children with NMSEN who were refractory to urotherapy modifications and directed to biofeedback therapies between 2005 and 2010. Enuresis before and after biofeedback therapies was evaluated. One or less enuretic night in a month was defined as success.

RESULTS

There were 118 (64%) girls and 64 (35%) boys. With biofeedback therapy, 117 of 182 patients recovered with a success rate of 64% (P < 0.001), but 65 patients still had enuresis. Seventy-two out of 118 girls recovered with a success rate of 61% (P < 0.001), whereas 45 out of 64 boys recovered with a success rate of 70% (P = 0.001). The NMSEN complaints of daytime incontinence, dysuria, urgency, holding maneuvers, and urgency incontinence disappeared significantly concomitant to the enuresis component, as well (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Biofeedback therapy is an effective treatment option for the enuresis component of NMSEN with a 64% success rate.

Desmopressin alone versus desmopressin and an anticholinergic in the first-line treatment of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis: a multicenter study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of combination therapy with desmopressin and an anticholinergic to desmopressin monotherapy for the first-line treatment of children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE).

METHODS

A total of 98 children with PMNE (male:female 71:27) aged 5-16 (mean age 7.18 ± 1.8) years were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: the monotherapy group (n = 49) was given oral desmopressin alone, and the combination therapy group (n = 49) was given desmopressin plus an anticholinergic (propiverine 10 mg) as a first-line treatment. The two groups were matched according to the following criteria: age, gender, and baseline frequency of nocturnal enuresis. The efficacy was evaluated by International Children's Continence Society criteria at 1 and 3 months after treatment initiation.

RESULTS

The combination therapy group showed a higher rate of complete response than the monotherapy group (20.4 vs. 6.1% at 1 month of treatment; 46.9 vs. 22.4% at 3 months of treatment). In terms of success (response and complete response), there was a significant difference between the two groups after 3 months of treatment (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that combination therapy with desmopressin plus an anticholinergic is quicker and more effective than desmopressin monotherapy in reducing PMNE.

Evaluation of nocturnal bladder capacity and nocturnal urine volume in nocturnal enuresis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the diagnostic accuracies of maximum voided volume (MVV) and first morning urine osmolality and compare these with accuracies of nocturnal bladder capacity (NBC) and nocturnal urine volume, respectively, in children with nocturnal enuresis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 70 children with nocturnal enuresis were assessed (mean age 7.1 ± 2.2 years). Baseline parameters were obtained by measuring MVV using a voiding diary, first morning urine osmolality on a wetting day, diaper weight by checking twice per night and first morning urine volume.

RESULTS

The proportions of small NBC and small MVV were 34.3% (24 cases) and 55.7% (39 cases), respectively. The proportions of low osmolality of first morning urine and nocturnal polyuria (NP) were 45.7% (32 cases) and 25.7% (18 cases), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of small MVV for small NBC were 53.8% and 90.3%, respectively; the sensitivity and specificity of first morning urine osmolality for NP were 33.3% and 50.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic accuracies of MVV and urine osmolality for small NBC and NP were only modest to low.

Efficacy of an enuresis alarm, desmopressin, and combination therapy in the treatment of saudi children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis

Purpose

We evaluated and compared the effectiveness of an enuresis alarm, desmopressin medication, and their combination in the treatment of Saudi children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE).

Materials and Methods

A total of 136 children with PMNE were randomly assigned to receive an enuresis alarm alone (EA group, n=45), desmopressin alone (D group, n=46), or a combination of both (EA/D group, n=45). Patients were followed weekly during treatment and for 12 weeks after treatment withdrawal.

Results

During treatment, wetting frequencies were significantly reduced in all groups and remained significantly lower than pretreatment values until the end of follow-up. In the D and EA/D groups, an immediate reduction in wetting frequencies was observed, whereas a longer time was required to reach a significant reduction in the EA group. The full and partial response rates were 13.3% and 37.8% in the EA group, 26.1% and 43.5% in the D group, and 40.0% and 33.3% in the EA/D group. A significant difference was observed only between the EA and EA/D groups (p=0.025). Relapse rates were higher in the D group (66.6%) than in the EA (16.6%) and EA/D (33.3%) groups. A significant difference was observed between the D and EA groups only (p=0.019).

Conclusions

Desmopressin, an enuresis alarm, and combined therapy are effective in the treatment of Saudi children with PMNE. Desmopressin produced an immediate effect but relapses were common. The enuresis alarm provided gradual effects that persisted posttreatment. The combined therapy was superior to the alarm in achieving an immediate response; however, its effect was not better than that of the alarm long term.

Is nocturia of young adulthood a remnant of childhood nocturnal enuresis?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Nocturia and nocturnal enuresis (NE) share similar aetiopathological factors, and may represent two different situations involving the same underlying issue. In this study, we tried to evaluate the relation between NE of childhood and nocturia of young adulthood.

METHODS

A total of 577 female university students aged 17-24 years were included in the survey. A face-to-face questionnaire was administered concerning present nocturia and past NE history. A non-validated questionnaire, created by the authors, was used to evaluate the presence and the frequency of childhood NE and present nocturia. All participant data were checked by telephone contact with their parents.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence rates of nocturia and history of nocturnal enuresis in the study population were 8.6 % and 15 % respectively. Sixteen per cent of nocturics and 15 % of non-nocturics had a history of childhood NE (p = 0.837). The childhood NE was graded as severe or infrequent. The presence of nocturia was compared between participants with severe NE and infrequent NE, and no significant difference was observed (11.1 % vs 7.8 %, p = 0.713). Nocturia frequency was compared with the history of childhood NE and we found that as the nocturia frequency increased, the rate of childhood NE also increased.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no relation between young adulthood nocturia and childhood NE in our study population, but as the severity of nocturia increased, the relation between nocturia and NE became more relevant.

Role of Urodynamic Study in Nocturnal Enuresis: Urodynamic Findings and Treatment Outcome Correlation in Children with Pharmacotherapy-resistant Monosymptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis or Severe Non-monosymptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine whether or not a urodynamic study (UDS) is beneficial for management of pediatric nocturnal enuresis (NE), especially in pharmacoresistant monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PRMNE) or severe non-monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (NMNE) patients.

METHODS

Children with PRMNE or severe NMNE who underwent a UDS for the process of NE treatment were retrospectively reviewed. The UDS findings of patients and treatment outcomes of subsequent tailored therapies according to the UDS findings were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 80 children (50 boys and 30 girls, mean age 8.4 ± 2.2 years), 19 of which were diagnosed with PRMNE and 61 of which were diagnosed with NMNE, were included in the final analysis. Of the 19 PRMNE children, 12 (63.2%) demonstrated abnormal UDS findings. Ten demonstrated detrusor overactivity (DO) with or without decreased cystometric bladder capacity (CBC); the treatment outcomes markedly improved in all of the children after anticholinergics were added to the initial desmopressin therapy. Biofeedback was found to be helpful for two children with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. All of the total 61 children with NMNE demonstrated abnormal urodynamic findings of DO with or without decreased CBC, and 42 (68.9%) achieved more than partial response (> 50% decrease in the number of wet nights) when given a combination therapy of anticholinergics and desmopressin.

CONCLUSIONS

The urodynamic findings were helpful for guiding children with PRMNE in the proper choice of further treatment strategies. A routine UDS should not be recommended prior to a first-line combination treatment in children with NMNE.

Refractory enuresis in children and adolescents: how can urodynamics affect management and what is the optimum test?

OBJECTIVE

After failure of medical and behavioral therapy in enuresis, the usual next step is to investigate using urodynamics. The aim of this study was to determine the actual benefit and optimal method of urodynamics in the treatment of refractory enuresis.

METHODS

This prospective randomized study included 56 patients: 17 males and 39 females with an age range of 7-16 years. All had tried multiple courses of medical treatment for enuresis for at least 6 months without response. Thirty patients underwent investigation by cystometrogram, uroflowmetry and electromyogram (UFM/EMG), while 26 patients underwent pressure/flow/EMG (P/F/EMG) studies.

RESULTS

Bladder filling abnormalities were found in 25 out of the 56 patients (44.6%) and included low bladder capacity in 39%, hypocompliance in 32%, and detrusor overactivity in 45%. With regard to voiding dysfunction, 70% of the UFM/EMG group had detrusor‒sphincter dyssynergia and 67% of the P/F/EMG group had bladder outlet obstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

Urodynamics can help in cases of refractory enuresis by detecting dysfunctional voiding, which is present in a large percentage of these patients. This can be diagnosed by UFM/EMG, rather than P/F/EMG, as a non-invasive test. UFM alone may be misleading. Alpha adrenergic blockers may be of benefit in treating these patients.

Nocturnal enuresis

Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is increasingly seen as part of a heterogeneous phenomenon that at times will include daytime lower urinary tract symptoms such as urgency, frequency and wetting - with reduced bladder storage, usually due to an overactive bladder. In turn, these may be associated with constipation and/or faecal soiling. This paper discusses these considerations in the management of NE.

Does combination therapy with desmopressin and tolterodine improve the treatment outcomes of patients with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis? A randomized clinical controlled trial

Several therapeutic options have been described for children with nocturnal enuresis, but still their efficacy and outcomes are controversial. This study compares the combined Desmopressin and Tolterodine efficacy versus Desmopressin alone efficacy in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis. One hundred children 5–16 years old with nocturnal enuresis were enrolled in a randomized trial study and were assigned to two equal groups. In a double-blind manner, we used 2 mg of Tolterodine tablet plus 20 μg of nasal Desmopressin in group A and 20 μg of nasal Desmopressin plus placebo in group B. The two groups were matched for age and sex (P = 0.547, P = 0.414). The mean number of the wet nights was reduced in both groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Upon ICCS scoring in the Tolterodine + Desmopressin group, 27 (54%) had full response, 17 (34%) had partial response, and 5 (10%) had an unsuccessful outcome. In the Desmopressin + placebo group, 17 (34%) had full response, 23 (46%) had partial response, and 10 (20%) had an unsuccessful outcome. The response in the Tolterodine + Desmopressin group was significantly higher (P = 0.049). Regarding the results, combined Tolterodine plus Desmopressin is slightly more effective than monotherapy.

Role of posterior tibial nerve stimulation in the treatment of refractory monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis: a pilot study

PURPOSE

We evaluated the early clinical and urodynamic results of posterior tibial nerve stimulation in patients with refractory monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We randomly assigned 28 patients with refractory monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis to 2 equal groups. Group 1 received a weekly session of posterior tibial nerve stimulation for 12 weeks and group 2 was the placebo group. Evaluation was performed in each group at baseline and after posterior tibial nerve stimulation to compare clinical and urodynamic findings. Another clinical assessment was done 3 months after the first followup.

RESULTS

The 2 groups were comparable in baseline clinical and urodynamic data. Overall, 13 patients (46.4%) had detrusor overactivity and 14 (50%) had decreased bladder capacity. After treatment 11 group 1 patients (78.6%) had a partial or full response to posterior tibial nerve stimulation but only 2 (14.3%) in group 2 had a partial response (p = 0.002). Also, the average number of wet nights in group 1 was significantly lower than at baseline (p = 0.002). All urodynamic parameters significantly improved in group 1. In contrast, the number of wet nights and urodynamic parameters did not change significantly in group 2. At 3-month followup the number of patients with a partial or full response in group 1 had decreased from 11 (78.6%) to 6 (42.9%). No change was evident in group 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Posterior tibial nerve stimulation can be a viable treatment option in some patients with refractory monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. However, deterioration in some responders with time suggests the need for maintenance protocols.