Experience and current status of research into the pathophysiology of nocturnal enuresis. Nocturnal enuresis: a review of the efficacy of treatments and practical advice for clinicians.
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Nocturnal enuresis is a common problem that can be troubling for children and their families. Recent studies indicate that nocturnal enuresis is best regarded as a group of conditions with different etiologies. A genetic component is likely in many affected children. Research also indicates the possibility of two subtypes of patients with nocturnal enuresis: those with a functional bladder disorder and those with a maturational delay in nocturnal arginine vasopressin secretion. The evaluation of nocturnal enuresis requires a thorough history, a complete physical examination, and urinalysis. Treatment options include nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic measures. Continence training should be incorporated into the treatment regimen. Use of a bed-wetting alarm has the highest cure rate and the lowest relapse rate; however, some families may have difficulty with this treatment approach. Desmopressin and imipramine are the primary medications used to treat nocturnal enuresis, but both are associated with relatively high relapse rates.
Nocturnal enuresis in children is not a psychogenic disorder. It is caused by a hereditary delay in maturation of the somatic mechanisms (reduction of nocturnal urine production and a normal arousal to a full bladder) which prevent the child from wetting the bed. Traditionally, doctors treating bedwetting children have used an expectant attitude, because nocturnal enuresis has been looked upon as self-limiting and harmless. According to recent research this is not true. More than 5% of children and 0.5% of the adult population report nocturnal enuresis, meaning that 10% of enuretic children will remain bedwetters for life if left untreated, and nocturnal enuresis is perceived as a shameful condition, giving a significant impairment of self-esteem at an age when an intact self-image is extremely important for an optimal development of the child's personality. Treatment should be given when the enuretic child wants to sleep dry.
Nocturnal enuresis is a common childhood disorder. Tricyclic antidepressants and anticholinergic agents have been the well accepted pharmacological treatment for this disorder and are efficacious in 40-70% and 10-50% of cases, respectively. The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of a combined treatment of tricyclic antidepressant and an anticholinergic agent. Twenty-two children aged 6-12 years with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis who did not prefer to use a conditioning alarm were given a combined treatment of these drugs. After a control period of 1 month, each patient was treated for 6 months and then observed for 3 months. A 30-mg dose of amitriptyline or imipramine was given with either 2-4 mg oxybutinin or 10-20 mg propiverine. Efficacy was determined relative to the number of wet nights per week compared with the control period, with more than a 50% decrease in wet nights per week taken to indicate efficacy. The mean wet nights per week decreased from 6.1 to 1.7 (P<0.01), and efficacy was established in 20 patients (90.9%). Relapses occurred in 60.0% of patients during the follow-up period. No significant side effects were observed. The efficacy of the combined therapy in monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis appears to be greater than that reported for either drug alone, and therefore can be a choice of treatment in order to motivate children with nocturnal enuresis.
Nocturnal enuresis is involuntary urination during night sleep. The pathogenesis of nocturnal enuresis is controversial. Developmental delay, genetic factors, stress and psychological factors, and sleep abnormalities are considered to be the etiologic factors. Various urodynamic studies showed bladder hyperactivity in enuretic children. Since the cause of vesical hyperactivity is not clear, we investigated the possible role of autonomic nervous system dysfunction in these children. The study groups consisted of 41 enuretic (25 boys and 16 girls) and 30 healthy children (18 boys and 12 girls). Four non-invasive autonomic nervous system function tests (orthostatic test, Valsalva ratio, 30:15 ratio, heart rate responses to deep breathing) were carried out in both groups. The differences between the enuretic and control groups were statistically significant in the Valsalva and 30:15 ratios (P < 0.0005 and P < 0.005, respectively). The results of these two tests demonstrated parasympathetic nervous system hyperactivity. No abnormality of the sympathetic nervous system was found. We suggest that the parasympathetic nervous system hyperactivity shown in our study may be a cause of vesical hyperactivity in enuretic children.
Nocturnal enuresis is a well-known "low-severity high-prevalence" condition in paediatrics, with extensive psychosocial suffering. This suffering is not always realized by paediatricians and other professionals. The aim of this study is to show that enuresis not only has an impact on the child, but also frustrates the entire family. The literature shows that nocturnal enuresis causes distress and low self-esteem for the child. It also has major social and economic implications for the family, with an increasing intolerance as the child grows older. An analysis of nine studies on the impact of successful treatment on the psychological condition of enuretic children showed improved behaviour and personality scores. In five studies the improvement in mental health was significantly related to treatment success. Timely treatment will prevent psychosocial damage, favour a normal development of the child and bring practical relief to the family.
Nocturnal enuresis is the most common urological problem in children. With increasing age and persistence of enuresis, children may experience psychological problems. Active treatment is therefore required not only to achieve dryness but also to prevent and treat such an experience. Although nocturnal enuresis has multiple causes, in recent years emphasis has focused on three main causes: lack of arousal, lack of antidiuretic hormone secretion and lack of bladder stability. This article stresses the importance of applying a specific treatment based on this "three system approach" for every child presenting with enuresis.
Nocturnal enuresis is common. Although its aetiology remains unclear recent evidence increasingly supports the lack of a normal nocturnal increase in ADH leading to nocturnal polyuria exceeding functional bladder capacity. Sleep patterns are probably normal although an arousal disorder might be a factor. Treatment should follow careful evaluation to determine if one is dealing with 'uncomplicated' or 'complicated' enuresis. Complicated enuresis requires further investigation. 'Uncomplicated enuresis' always requires reassurance and patient and parent education. Resource centres such as ERIC can provide information and advice. Active treatment should be tailored to the patients age, motivation and parental wishes. Behavioural modification techniques yield the highest long-term cure rate but require the most commitment and are rarely successful before the age of 7-8 years. Pharmacotherapy has been revolutionized by DDAVP which gives a response rate of up to 70% relatively free from side-effects but at the price of a high relapse rate after medication. Imipramine is less expensive than DDAVP but may be fatal in overdose. Anticholinergics should be reserved for those patients with significant diurnal symptoms or those who fail first-line pharmacotherapy. Overall patients and parents should be reassured by the high spontaneous cure rate.
Nocturnal enuresis is a very common pediatric problem which often has strong genetic roots. In the vast majority of children it resolves spontaneously, with time, therefore research and treatment of bedwetting cannot carry any risk to the child. The research on the etiology of bedwetting has been focused on sleep disturbances, nocturnal urine production and functional bladder capacity. So far it has not provided conclusive evidence of the pathophysiology of the phenomenon. It is possible that different factors may be predominant in different age groups. Although bedwetters are basically mentally healthy, several studies have shown that the problem may cause secondary emotional and social problems which can be alleviated with successful intervention. Of the treatment modalities currently available to the pediatrician, the most effective is the moisture alarm. Combined with its safety and low cost it should become the treatment of choice in most cases.
Nocturnal enuresis is a very common pediatric problem which often has strong genetic roots. In the vast majority of children it resolves spontaneously, with time, therefore research and treatment of bedwetting cannot carry any risk to the child. The research on the etiology of bedwetting has been focused on sleep disturbances, nocturnal urine production and functional bladder capacity. So far it has not provided conclusive evidence of the pathophysiology of the phenomenon. It is possible that different factors may be predominant in different age groups. Although bedwetters are basically mentally healthy, several studies have shown that the problem may cause secondary emotional and social problems which can be alleviated with successful intervention. Of the treatment modalities currently available to the pediatrician, the most effective is the moisture alarm. Combined with its safety and low cost it should become the treatment of choice in most cases.
Nocturnal enuresis is a benign condition, yet needs treatment to relieve the child and parents of the accompanying anxiety and the stigma attached to it. It is defined as normal nearly complete evacuation of the bladder at a wrong place and time at least twice a month after the fifth year of life. The underlying cause of enuresis is functional and various proposed pathophysiological mechanisms like maturational delay, genetics, role of sleep, antidiuretic hormone, and bladder capacity are discussed. These factors have a bearing on the management. As no treatment plan is ideal, various treatment modalities currently available including good supportive care are elaborated and a plan of management discussed.
Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is a multifactorial condition of childhood affecting both children and their parents. NE may result from a vasopressin deficiency, bladder instability or lack of arousal from sleep to bladder sensations. The development of the three-systems model offers increased understanding of the multifactorial aetiology of NE and may aid the development of a tailored treatment regimen for the individual child. For decades, treatment of NE has focused on pharmacological, behavioural and combination therapies, and many studies provide supporting evidence for each of these treatment approaches. However, many of these studies were performed on unselected patient populations. without assessment of the cause of the patients' enuresis, and therefore both the methodologies and results of these studies are questionable. This paper reviews the efficacy of combined treatment interventions and assesses when such interventions may be of most benefit to the patient.
Nocturnal enuresis is a common problem occurring in 15% of children at 5 years of age. Although usually self-limiting, justification for early treatment is founded in the psychological impact on the child. The physician's role in treating enuresis is first to rule out structural causes for enuresis. After this has been done, the physician can tailor an enuresis treatment program for the child and family.
Nocturnal enuresis is a treatable condition. It is defined as functional urinary incontinence during sleep beyond the age (arbitrarily taken to be) of 6 years old at which control should be established. Although it is a physically benign condition, it is unfortunately associated with emotional-behavioural disturbances and developmental delays. Diagnosis is usually straight-forward, and based mainly on history and physical examination. Often, only a microscopic examination of urine is required to exclude urinary tract infection. Treatment begins with a baseline recording of the frequency of enuresis. This is incorporated into motivational therapy which consists of counselling, enhancement of self-responsibility and self-efficacy with positive reinforcement for success. Failing which, enuretic alarm provides the single most effective mode of treatment. However, it suffers from poor compliance. Medication is usually used on an as-needed basis because most relapse after cessation of treatment. Imipramine is the most well-studied and commonly used medication but suffers from potential toxicity. Desmopressin, on the other hand, has few adverse side-effects and is just as effective as imipramine. Its main drawback is its cost.
Nocturnal enuresis, commonly known as bedwetting, is described in documents dating from 1550 BC. Derived from the Greek word enourein, meaning "in urine" or "inability to control urination," it occurs in 15 to 20 per cent of five year olds and is twice as common in boys as girls. Indeed, no cure has yet been found and thousands of children and their families live with the distress the condition causes. Among affected children, this often includes behavioral problems and low self-esteem.
Nocturnal enuresis (NE), the involuntary passing of urine during sleep after the age at which bladder control would normally be anticipated, is a widespread and potentially disabling disorder for children. The treatment of NE constitutes several approaches and its pathophysiology remains unsolved. Careful consideration should be given to the work-up of NE since there may be concurrent symptoms that require attention either before or in conjunction with the treatment. Patient/family education and a cooperative approach usually produce the most favorable results in treating NE.
PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of imipramine on nocturnal urine output in patients with nocturnal enuresis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 15 monosymptomatic enuretic patients 15 to 37 years and 8 control subjects 25 to 32 years old. We measured nocturnal urine output, urine osmolality, creatinine clearance, osmolal clearance, free water clearance, excretion of solutes, fractional excretion of sodium, fractional excretion of potassium and plasma vasopressin with and without a single oral dose of imipramine (1 mg./kg. of body weight) taken at 8 p.m. RESULTS: Baseline studies showed significantly larger and less concentrated nocturnal urine among enuretics compared with controls. We observed a marked antidiuretic effect of imipramine in 6 enuretics with severe nocturnal polyuria. The imipramine induced decrease in urine output was accompanied by reduced osmolal clearance. Approximately a third of the observed decrease in solute excretion was attributed to lower excretion of sodium and potassium. The remaining two-thirds were most likely caused by an increased tubular reabsorption of urea, which may be secondary to a sympathomimetic effect of imipramine tubules, possibly because of altered adrenal medullary function with an increase in proximal tubular sodium and water reabsorption. The resultant lower tubular flow rate facilitates tubular reabsorption of urea in the distal part of the nephron. CONCLUSIONS: Imipramine has a vasopressin independent antidiuretic effect if nocturnal polyuria is present. The antidiuretic effect of imipramine can be attributed primarily to increased alpha-adrenergic stimulation in the proximal tubules with a secondary increased urea and water reabsorption more distally in the nephron.
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