Anxiety disorders, depression and incontinence in preschool children-A population-based study

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to examine associations of specific anxiety disorders, depressive symptoms, and incontinence in a representative, population-based sample of preschool children.

METHODS

All preschool children of a defined geographical area examined before school-entry were included. Parents completed a questionnaire including the Preschool Feelings Checklist (PFC), eight questions referring to nocturnal enuresis (NE), daytime urinary incontinence (DUI), fecal incontinence (FI) and constipation, and 30 items regarding Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria of separation anxiety disorder (SAD), social phobia (SOC), specific phobia (PHOB), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Data of 1206 children (mean age = 5.7 years; 53.5% boys) are presented.

RESULTS

34.6% of incontinent children had an anxiety disorder based on DSM-5 criteria and 13.3% had clinically relevant depressive symptoms (measured by the PFC). Rates of incontinence overall were 14.1% (11.9% NE, 3.1% DUI, and 1.8% FI) and 6.3% for constipation. Rates of SOC and PHOB were increased in NE (20.8% and 25.4%), DUI (39.3% and 34.5%) and FI (35.3% and 50.0%) compared to continent children (13.5% and 17.2%). Children with constipation had higher rates of SOC, PHOB, and GAD than those without. Compared to continent children (9.7%), depressive symptoms were more frequent in children with NE (26.8%), DUI (50.0%), and FI (61.9%).

CONCLUSION

Anxiety disorders and depressive symptoms are common in children with incontinence. The most specific DSM-5 disorders associated with incontinence are SOC and PHOB, which can be incapacitating and may require treatment. Due to the high rates of anxiety disorders, it is important to screen all children with incontinence, for example, with specific questionnaires.

Incontinence and sleep disturbances in young children: A population-based study

Aims

Nocturnal enuresis (NE), daytime urinary incontinence (DUI), fecal incontinence (FI), as well as sleep and behavioral problems are common in young children. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of sleep and psychological parameters for all types of incontinence in a representative sample of young children.

Methods

Six hundred thirty eight (of 1161) children with a mean age of 5.9 years (50.9% boys) were assessed during their mandatory school entry examination. The participation rate was 55%. Instruments included the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire and other clinical questions. Incontinence was diagnosed according to ICCS standards. Constipation was assessed by two questions.

Results

17.1% of children had at least one type of incontinence, 14.8% had NE, 5.0% DUI, 2.1% FI, and 4.8% were constipated. 6.7% of children had clinically relevant psychological problems. 22.7% of children had sleep problems regularly (5−7 times/week). A wide variety of sleep problems were reported. Children with incontinence were not affected by a higher rate of sleep problems. Children with NE had fewer night wakings and those with constipation fewer parasomnias. Sleep and psychological problems were significantly associated, especially in children with DUI and FI.

Conclusions

Sleep and behavioral problems are common in young children. Psychological problems have a clear impact on sleep. Young children with incontinence do not have more sleep problems than continent children. Therefore, both sleep and psychological problems should be addressed in young children with incontinence.

Evaluation of a bladder and bowel training program for therapy-resistant children with incontinence

INTRODUCTION

Daytime urinary incontinence (DUI) and fecal incontinence (FI) are common disorders in children. Although standard treatment is highly effective, subgroups of incontinence (combinations of nocturnal enuresis (NE), DUI and/or FI, or with psychological comorbidity) can relapse or take a chronic course. For these complex, therapy-resistant cases, a manualized outpatient bladder and bowel training program was developed. The aim of the study was to evaluate prospectively treatment effects of this training program, including a follow-up assessment.

MATERIAL & METHODS

The training program was developed for small groups of 2-6 children (of same age and sex) aged 5-12 years with adaptations for 13-16 year-old adolescents. It consists of 7-9 weekly sessions for group training and 3 weekly sessions for individual training. The training comprises information about anatomy/physiology of the urogenital tract, pathophysiology, hygiene and balanced nutrition. Voiding and drinking diaries, stress management, relaxation and emotion regulation techniques are also included. Data of 32 children (mean age 8.6 years, range 5-13 years; 21 boys), who had received standard treatment (and did not reach complete response) are presented. 14 children received group therapy, 18 (younger children) were treated individually. Children were assessed before and after the treatment, as well as at a follow-up of 6 months later. Treatment effects were measured by incontinence frequency and treatment success according to the ICCS (complete response: 100% reduction of symptoms; partial response: 50-99% reduction of symptoms). Psychological symptoms were measured by the Child Behavior Checklist questionnaire (CBCL).

RESULTS

Frequencies of DUI were significantly reduced from 5.7 wetting episodes/week (before training) to 4.9 (after training) to 2.0 (6 months after training). Frequencies of FI were reduced from 2.9 soiling episodes/week (before training) to 1.9 (after training), but increased to 2.6 (6 months after training). According to the ICCS classification, 11.1% of children with DUI had a complete response after training and 47.6% at follow-up after 6 months. In children with FI, 33.3% reached a complete response at the end of the training and 25% at follow-up. Additionally, psychological symptoms, especially internalizing, decreased significantly during training. Further, in 14 children with comorbid NE, nighttime wetting reduced from 5.9 before training to 1.5 episodes/week at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

This bladder and bowel training program is an effective and successful treatment option for children with therapy-resistant subtypes of incontinence. Symptoms still improved 6 months after training in DUI. Additionally, the training program is helpful to decrease psychological symptoms.

Behavioral comorbidity, overweight, and obesity in children with incontinence: An analysis of 1638 cases

AIMS

Children with nocturnal enuresis (NE), daytime urinary incontinence (DUI), and fecal incontinence (FI) are at risk for behavioral problems, overweight, and obesity. The aim of this study was to analyze the specific behavioral and weight comorbidity in subtypes of incontinence.

METHODS

A total of 1638 consecutive patients presented to a tertiary incontinence clinic from 2012 to 2018 was examined prospectively according to ICCS criteria. Behavioral symptoms were measured with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed according to ICD-10 criteria. Weight categories were calculated according to WHO recommendations.

RESULTS

The mean age was 7.8 years, 67% of patients were male. Fifty-seven percent had NE (n = 934), 33% DUI (n = 547), and 40% FI (n = 656). Boys had significantly higher rates of NE and FI than girls. Of all children, 39.2% (n = 539) had a clinically relevant CBCL total score. A total of 28.3% (n = 463) had an ICD-10 psychiatric diagnosis, mainly ODD and ADHD, and 28.6% (n = 463) were overweight or obese. Boys were more often affected by behavioral symptoms, psychiatric disorders, and overweight/obesity. Children with NE had the highest rate of overweight/obesity. Except for primary nonmonosymptomatic NE, subtypes of incontinence did not differ regarding behavioral symptoms and weight categories. However, overweight/obesity was significantly associated with behavioral and psychiatric parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Behavioral symptoms and psychiatric disorders, as well as overweight/obesity are important risk factors associated with incontinence, but the interaction between these factors is complex. In clinical settings, all children with incontinence should be screened with behavioral questionnaires. Also, weight should be measured, and overweight/obesity should be addressed.

Bladder and bowel control in a population-based sample: Associations to quality of life and behavioral problems of 4-6-year-old children participating in the German Health Interview and Examination Survey (KiGGS)

BACKGROUND

Prevalence rates for psychiatric comorbidities are high in incontinent children. We analyzed data from the KiGGS survey in order to assess the rate of preschool children with delayed or regular continence, the mean age of gaining continence, psychiatric problems, and quality of life in a nation-wide, representative sample.

METHODS

Parental questionnaire data of 3875 preschool children (4-6 years) were analyzed. Percentages of children with daytime, nighttime, and complete continence, and mean ages of gaining continence were calculated. Psychological and behavioral problems (SDQ), as well as Quality of life (KINDL-R), were assessed.

RESULTS

16.9% showed delayed gaining of continence. Percentages of children with nighttime bladder continence were lower for boys (76.3%) than for girls (80.6%), and lower for children without (78.2%) than those with a migration status (79.2%). Complete continence was gained by more girls (83.9%) than boys (78.2%), more children from the former East Germany (82.4%) than former West Germany (81.1%), and by more migrants (82.7%) than nonmigrants (81.9%). Girls, children living in the former East of Germany, and migrants achieved continence consistently at an earlier age. Children with incontinence or continence ≥4 years showed significantly more psychological problems, less prosocial behavior and low quality of life.

CONCLUSION

The age at gaining continence is moderated by gender, German region, and migration status. Delayed achievement of continence is associated with more psychological problems and a lower quality of life. The importance of effective treatment of incontinence is emphasized by the results of this study.