The pooled analysis evaluates the therapeutic efficacy of desmopressin combined with anticholinergic drugs in the treatment of pediatric nocturnal enuresis

OBJECTIVE

This pooled analysis aims to demonstrate the clinical efficacy and safety of combined desmopressin and anticholinergic therapy in the treatment of pediatric nocturnal enuresis (NE).

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted through PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, ResearchGate, and Cochrane Library to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing monotherapy with desmopressin versus combined therapy with desmopressin and anticholinergic agents for the treatment of NE. Data analysis was performed using RevMan version 5.4.1.

RESULTS

This study included 8 RCTs involving a total of 659 patients. The frequencies of complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and nonresponse (NR) were computed for both short-term treatment (1 month) and long-term treatment (3 months). Additionally, alterations in the mean number of NE episodes, adverse events, and relapse were assessed. Our analysis indicates that, in comparison to the monotherapy group, the combination therapy group plays a pivotal role in augmenting the CR odds and diminishing the NR ratios in both short-term and long-term treatments (1 month CR ratio [risk ratio (RR): 1.84; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-2.76; p = 0.003, I2  = 72%]; 3 months CR ratio [RR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.25-1.76; p < 0.00001, I2  = 0%]; 1 month NR ratio [RR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.55-0.82; p = 0.0001, I2  = 0%]; 3 months CR ratio [RR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.19-0.73; p = 0.004, I2  = 0%]). Furthermore, in both short-term and long-term treatment, the combined therapy group exhibits a greater magnitude of change in the average number of NE episodes compared to patients receiving monotherapy (1 month, mean difference [MD] = -2.97; 95% CI: -4.23 to -1.71, p < 0.0001; 3 months, MD = -4.30; 95% CI: -7.18 to -1.43, p = 0.003). Moreover, the combination therapy group exhibits a significant reduction in the recurrence rate (RR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.15-0.86; p = 0.02). There is no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups (RR: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.58-2.31; p = 0.67).

CONCLUSION

Combining desmopressin with anticholinergic medications is more effective for NE than desmopressin alone, with lower recurrence and minimal adverse effects.

A comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of treating primary nocturnal enuresis with Solifenacin Plus Desmopressin, Tolterodine Plus Desmopressin, and Desmopressin alone: a randomized controlled clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Nocturnal enuresis (enuresis) is one of the most common developmental problems of childhood, which has often a familial basis, causes mental and psychological damage to the child and disrupts family solace.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we compared therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of treating primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) with solifenacin plus desmopressin, tolterodine plus desmopressin, and desmopressin alone. Because we don't have enough information about this comparison especially about solifenacin plus desmopressin.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This clinical trial study was performed on 62 patients with enuresis aged 5-15 years who referred to the urology clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahwaz in 2017-2018. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the three different therapeutic protocols and any participants were given a specific code. After that, we compared the therapeutic response and the level of satisfaction of each therapeutic group in different months. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 software and descriptive and analytical statistics.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 8.70±66 years. In the therapeutic group with desmopressin and solifenacin, 19 of 20 patients (95%) achieved complete remission (1) after a 3-month treatment in comparison with monotherapy group in which 14 of 22 patients (63.63%) achieved complete remission; and in the combination therapy group of desmopressin and tolterodine, in the study and the evaluation of the consequences of 3-month treatment of this group, it was found that 17 of 20 patients (85%) had complete remission. Overall, the therapeutic response in combination therapy groups of desmopressin plus anticholinergic was higher than the monotherapy group of desmopressin alone.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that the combination of desmopressin and an anticholinergic agent is highly effective in treatment of children with PMNE. Although desmopressin has long been a first - line treatment for PMNE, desmopressin monotherapy often fails to achieve a successful response in patients with PMNE.