Enuresis and encopresis: Association with child abuse and neglect.

OBJECTIVE: Several reports suggest a possible link between child abuse and enuresis or encopresis but concern small series of children and present therefore methodological biases. The objective of the present study was to clarify this issue by examining the relationships between child abuse and enuresis or encopresis in a large sample of children. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 428 children in social residential centers in France. Four types of child abuse were considered: sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse and neglect. The accuracy and reliability of the characterization of the type of abuse as well as that of the sphincter disorder was particularly high. In fact, all the cases benefited from both a social and a psychological investigation and from an observation in a residential center. RESULTS: More than 60% of the children were victims of at least one type of abuse. Encopresis was reported in 15 children (3.5% [95% CI: 2.0%-5.7%]), mostly among boys (13 cases). Enuresis affected 54 of the 390 children aged five years or more (13.8% [95% CI: 10.6%-17.7%]). Most of the cases also appeared in boys (38 cases). Rates of encopresis were found to be seven-fold higher in both psychologically abused and neglect children compared to non-abused children (P=0.01). Concerning enuresis, a weaker but still significant association was found with sexual (OR= 3.3, P=0.025) and physical abuse (OR=2.3, P=0.035). CONCLUSION: Our findings support the hypothesis that enuresis and encopresis are associated with specific types of child abuse.

Incontinence and headache in preschool children.

AIMS: Headaches in preschool children are associated with behavioral and gastrointestinal symptoms. As the co-occurrence with incontinence is not known in young children, the aim of the study was to examine associations of headache, psychological symptoms and nocturnal enuresis (NE), daytime urinary incontinence (DUI), and fecal incontinence (FI) in a population-based sample of preschool children. METHODS: All preschool children of a defined geographical area were examined at school-entry. Parents completed a 22-item questionnaire, including 14 headache, 4 incontinence, and 25 items of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Five hundred eighty-five children (50.4% males) with a mean age of 5.8 years were included. RESULTS: In total, 27.2% of all children had headaches. 15.7% had secondary and 11.3% primary headaches. Five children had migraine and five tension-type headaches, while all others were unclassifiable. 9.4% of children had incontinence (7.7% NE; 2.4% DUI, 1.2% FI) and 4.0% constipation. The rates of incontinence did not differ between children with primary and those without headache for NE (12.9% vs 7.5%), DUI (3.1% vs 2.7%) or FI (3.0% vs 1.0%), but for constipation (12.1% vs 2.6%). Incontinent children had significantly more behavioral and externalizing symptoms, children with headache more internalizing problems. Primary headache was a significant predictor for internalizing, while constipation and FI were predictors for externalizing symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study showed that headache is associated with constipation, but not with incontinence in preschool children. Headache and incontinence are common risk factors for specific psychological symptoms and should be assessed in clinical practice.

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder symptoms and daytime voiding symptoms in children with primary enuresis: an observational study to evaluate the effectiveness of desmopressin treatment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of presence of desmopressin in treating primary enuresis (PE) for children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children aged from 5 to 12 years with the chief complaint of PE treated with desmopressin were enrolled in pediatric urology clinics. The parent-reported SNAP-IV questionnaire was used to evaluate ADHD symptoms (cut-off value: 90th percentile). Voiding symptoms were assessed by the Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System (DVSS) questionnaire. The responses to desmopressin were analyzed in children with and without ADHD symptoms. RESULTS: The study sample comprised 68 children; 27 (39.7%) presented with ADHD symptoms and 41 (60.3%) with non-ADHD symptoms. The children collected from a tertiary referral center may explain the high prevalence of ADHD symptoms in the present study. The total DVSS score in the ADHD symptoms group was significantly higher than in the non-ADHD symptoms group (7.72 versus 5.65, P=0.05). In the ADHD symptoms group, there were significantly higher score in the "pee 1-2 times/day" and "can't wait" subscales of DVSS and lower sleep quality based on the Pediatric Sleep Quality questionnaire, as well as significantly lower peak flow rate and voided volume. The responses to desmopressin for enuresis were comparable between children with ADHD and non-ADHD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 39.7% of PE children presented with ADHD symptoms at urologic clinics. PE children with ADHD symptoms had higher risk of daytime LUTS and comparable response to desmopressin treatment for PE. To evaluate ADHD symptoms and daytime voiding symptoms is important in children with PE.

Association between sleep and behavioural problems among children with enuresis.

AIM: This study was conducted to describe sleep problems in a sample of children with enuresis and to investigate the association between sleep and behavioural problems. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 100 children with enuresis were recruited from paediatric enuresis clinic. The children's sleep problems and behaviours were assessed by the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire and Child Behaviour checklist. RESULTS: The most frequently reported sleep problems were in daytime sleepiness, bedtime resistance and sleep anxiety subscales. Children with T-scores ≥ 60 in internalising, externalising and total behavioural problems had higher scores on daytime sleepiness subscale and total score than children with T-scores < 60. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that daytime sleepiness subscale was significantly related to behavioural disturbances. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep problems are common among this sample of children with enuresis, and the presence of sleep disturbance such as daytime sleepiness could explain the association between enuresis and disturbed daytime behaviour.

How will I be when I will grow up? The importance of psychological intervention in pediatric patients to prevent symptoms from becoming chronical.

Psychological discomforts in pediatric patients, if not identified, and considered as personality traits can lead to abnormalities in the development. Identifying psychological problems and treating them with psychological intervention could avoid the raise of psychological disease in adulthood. The aim of this study is to evaluate the perception of self-image and interpersonal relationships of children affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis (chronic pathology); to compare those data with those published in a previous research about enuretic children (functional pathology) and children affected by cleft palate (organic pathology). Forty children were tested using two Graphic Projective Tests: Machover test (Human Figure Drawing Test) and Corman test (Family Drawing Test) in order to assess specific disorders of their personality through the self-image perception and the emotional relationships with other members of family. Children affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis show problems about the contact with the external world, underestimation of himself and inadequate perception of himself, exactly like children affected by enuresis and cleft lip and palate. Situation of discomfort, if not taken in consideration and seen as personality traits could easily become an emotional and behavioral chronic psychological disease.

Enuresis associated with sleep disordered breathing in children with sickle cell anemia.

PURPOSE: Enuresis and sleep disordered breathing are common among children with sickle cell anemia. We evaluated whether enuresis is associated with sleep disordered breathing in children with sickle cell anemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Baseline data were used from a multicenter prospective cohort study of 221 unselected children with sickle cell anemia. A questionnaire was used to evaluate, by parental report during the previous month, the presence of enuresis and its severity. Overnight polysomnography was used to determine the presence of sleep disordered breathing by the number of obstructive apneas and/or hypopneas per hour of sleep. Logistic and ordinal regression models were used to evaluate the association of sleep disordered breathing and enuresis. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 10.1 years (median 10.0, range 4 to 19). Enuresis occurred in 38.9% of participants and was significantly associated with an obstructive apnea-hypopnea index of 2 or more per hour after adjusting for age and gender (OR 2.19; 95% CI 1.09, 4.40; p = 0.03). Enuresis severity was associated with obstructive apneas and hypopneas with 3% or more desaturation 2 or more times per hour with and without habitual snoring (OR 3.23; 95% CI 1.53, 6.81; p = 0.001 and OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.09, 3.92; p = 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this unselected group of children with sickle cell anemia, sleep disordered breathing was associated with enuresis. Results of this study support that children with sickle cell anemia who present with enuresis should be evaluated by a pulmonologist for sleep disordered breathing.

Childhood enuresis is a risk factor for bladder dysfunction in adult life?

AIMS: To verify the relationship between enuresis in childhood and the type of urinary incontinence in adults, considering the gender and age. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study the database used contained the records of patients who had with urinary complaints and underwent urodynamic studies in the period from 1999 to 2008. A multinomial logistic regression model was adjusted for the type of UI. RESULTS: A total of 661 patient records were analyzed, 585 (88.5%) women and 76 (11.5%) men, with mean age 54 (SD = 13.3). Patients with urge urinary incontinence (UUI) were compared to those with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and the variables associated were the presence of enuresis in childhood (OR = 2.37, IC: 1.43-3.92) and age >50 years (OR = 2.64, CI: 1.68-4.15). Comparing patients with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) and SUI, the presence of enuresis was also associated ((OR = 1.77, CI: 1.15-2.73) and the age of more than 50 years (OR = 1.71, CI: 1.19-2.44). For both categories of urinary incontinence, the variable sex was not associated. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with MUI and UUI in adult life were more likely to have a history of enuresis in childhood than those with SUI.

High risk of sleep disordered breathing in the enuresis population.

PURPOSE: Enuresis is 1 of the most common complaints facing pediatric urologists and it has significant implications with respect to quality of life. Although the pathophysiology is incompletely understood, there is growing evidence that sleep disordered breathing in children, including obstructive sleep apnea, has a fundamental role. There are also potentially fundamental differences between monosymptomatic enuresis, which may be a sleep disorder, and nonmonosymptomatic enuresis, which may relate to a primary bladder storage problem. We prospectively evaluated the incidence of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with enuresis and analyzed differences between patients with monosymptomatic and nonmonosymptomatic enuresis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 69 children with enuresis were given 3 validated questionnaires to complete, including the Dysfunctional Voiding and Incontinence Symptom Score, the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Quality of Life survey and the Modified Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire. The Dysfunctional Voiding and Incontinence Symptom Score quantifies patient dysfunctional voiding habits. The Obstructive Sleep Apnea Quality of Life survey evaluates patient quality of life in regard to obstructive sleep apnea and its effects. Modified Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire results describe the severity of patient sleep disturbances. RESULTS: The mean Obstructive Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Survey score was 43 and 54% of patients had positive Modified Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire results, indicating that obstructive sleep apnea was prevalent in our population. Those with enuresis and daytime incontinence were significantly more likely to have sleep disordered breathing than those with monosymptomatic enuresis (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms the link between sleep disordered breathing and enuresis. All pediatric health care providers should be aware of this risk. The risk may be magnified in patients with concomitant daytime incontinence.

Menopausal transition and the risk of urinary incontinence: results from a British prospective cohort.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the effect of menopausal transition and age on symptoms of urinary incontinence in midlife. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: the study included a nationally representative cohort of 1211 women followed up since their birth in 1946 and annually from 48-54 years; their menopausal transition status and symptoms of stress, urge, and severe urinary incontinence (UI) at 7 consecutive years from ages 48-54 were assessed. RESULTS: from Generalized Estimating Equations, women who became perimenopausal ('pre-peri') or those experiencing perimenopause for >1 year ('peri-peri') were more likely to have symptoms of stress UI than were postmenopausal women; the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) was; pre-peri 1.39 (1.11-1.73); and peri-peri 1.39 (1.4-1.71). Menopausal transition status was not associated with urge or severe UI. These relationships were not explained by age, childhood enuresis, reproductive factors, previous health status, body mass index and educational qualifications. CONCLUSION: this study is unique in being able to disentangle the effects of age, menopausal transitions, and other life-long risk factors on UI. Menopausal transition was only related to stress UI, while increasing age was related to both stress and urge UI. This study suggests that there are both shared and distinct aetiological pathways leading to each type of UI.

Urinary incontinence in persons with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and identify the frequency and type of urinary incontinence (UI), as well as associated symptoms in persons with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). PWS is characterized by mental retardation, short stature, obesity and hypogonadism. The behavioural phenotype includes eating problems, temper outbursts, affective disorders, stereotypies and speech abnormalities. UI is common in children with mental retardation in general, but has not been reported systematically in children with PWS so far. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Dutch version of the 'Parental Questionnaire: Enuresis/Urinary Incontinence' was completed by 118 parents of children with PWS. This questionnaire includes items referring to day- and night-time wetting, toilet habits, observable voiding behaviours and reactions, urinary tract infections, stool habits and behavioural symptoms. RESULTS: The rate of nocturnal enuresis in persons with PWS was 13.6% (16) at a mean age of 15.1 years. 3.8% (5) had additional daytime urinary incontinence, and 3.3% (4) had faecal incontinence. Lower urinary tract symptoms were commonly indicative of overactive bladder, dysfunctional voiding and postponement. Also, the rate of internalizing and externalizing behavioural problems was high. CONCLUSION: Urinary incontinence is more common in persons with PWS than in typically developing children, adolescents and adults. As lower urinary tract symptoms are common, detailed assessment and specific treatment of UI should be part of the care of all persons with PWS.

Relationship between enuresis and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in children.

OBJECTIVE: We explored the relationship between enuresis and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in children and influencing factors of enuresis with OSAHS. METHODS: We recruited 196 children ≥5 years old from the otolaryngology outpatient department, who experienced snoring and underwent nasopharynx lateral radiography and in-laboratory polysomnography. We analyzed correlations between the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and lowest oxygen saturation (L-SaO2) with age, body mass index (BMI), tonsil size, and adenoidal-nasopharyngeal (A/N) ratio using the Pearson correlation test. Differences in severe OSAHS prevalence, age, AHI, L-SaO2, tonsil size, and A/N ratio between children with and without enuresis were assessed using the chi-square test and t-test. Risk factors of enuresis were analyzed using logistic regression. Follow-up was conducted to assess remission in children with enuresis after adenotonsillectomy. RESULTS: BMI, tonsil size, and A/N ratio were correlated with AHI and L-SaO2. Severe OSAHS prevalence, AHI, tonsil size, and A/N ratio were higher and L-SaO2 were lower in children with enuresis. Logistic regression showed that BMI, AHI, tonsil size, and sleep apnea were risk factors for enuresis. CONCLUSIONS: Our study findings showed that enuresis was associated with OSAHS in children. Adenotonsillectomy may improve the symptoms of enuresis.

Evaluation of sleep hygiene and prevalence of sleep disorders in patients with monosymptomatic enuresis. Usefulness of the BEARS sleep screening tool. / Evaluación de la higiene del sueño y la prevalencia de sus alteraciones en los pacientes con enuresis monosintomática. Utilidad del cuestionario BEARS.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze if there is a higher prevalence of sleep disturbances and hygiene disorders in patients with monosymptomatic enuresis (MEN) with respect to general population and to patients with corrected MEN. Assess the usefulness of the BEARS sleep disorder screening tool for children with MEN. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Transverse observational study (n=341) classified as: MEN (n=122), corrected MEN (≥ 1 one year without recurrence) (ANTENUR) (n=47) and controls (n=172). The BEARS childhood sleep disorder screening questionnaire was used. Clinical variables were collected, as well as variables related to sleep hygiene. STATISTICS: Chi-square, Student's t, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis. Significance p<.05. RESULTS: Mean age 9.7±3.0 years. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of age, sex, BMI, history of tonsillectomy, asthma and sleep time hours. With respect to sleep hygiene, patients with MEN presented a higher percentage of alterations than controls. As for the BEARS questionnaire, it showed a higher prevalence of sleep disorders in the group of patients with MEN, with respect to the other two groups: 60.7% (n=74) versus 18.6% (n=32) and 38.3% (n=18) of controls and ANTENUR, respectively (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Children with MEN had a higher prevalence of sleep disturbances and sleep disorders than controls. The BEARS questionnaire is a useful clinical tool in the detection of sleep disorders in children.

Lower urinary tract symptoms in enuretic and nonenuretic children.

PURPOSE: We determined the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in enuretic and nonenuretic children and adolescents in an urban community. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional survey including 296 children and adolescents in a small urban community. Trained medical students visited all homes and interviewed the parents or guardians. There were no refusals to participate. Results were analyzed using chi-square and McNemar statistics. RESULTS: The enuresis rate was 10%, including 16.6% and 3.9% in children 5 to 10 years old and adolescents, respectively. The monosymptomatic enuresis rate was only 1.34%. Of those with vs without enuresis lower urinary tract symptoms were present in 86.7% vs 26.8% (p <0.001). In the nonenuretic group lower urinary tract symptoms were associated with nocturia (p = 0.008). The most common daytime urinary symptoms were urgency in 38.2% of cases, holding maneuvers in 30.4% and daytime incontinence in 27.5%. The prevalence rate decreased with age in the nonenuretic group (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms was high. Nonmonosymptomatic enuresis was common and monosymptomatic enuresis was rare in this population based survey. In nonenuretic cases daytime symptoms were associated with nocturia, suggesting decreased bladder capacity with a mature arousal reaction.

Enuresis as a premorbid developmental marker of schizophrenia.

There is comparatively little information about premorbid maturational brain abnormalities in schizophrenia (SCZ). We investigated whether a history of childhood enuresis, a well-established marker of neurodevelopmental delay, is associated with SCZ and with measures of brain abnormalities also associated with SCZ. A Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) based history of enuresis, volumetric brain MRI scans and neuropsychological testing were obtained in patients with SCZ, their non-psychotic siblings (SIB) and non-psychiatric controls (NC). The subjects were 211 patients (79.6% male), 234 of their SIB (43.2% male) and 355 controls (39.2% male). Frequency of enuresis was compared across groups and correlated with cognitive measures. Total and regional brain volumes were determined using voxel-based morphometry on matched subsets of probands (n = 82) with or without enuresis (n = 16, n = 66, respectively) and controls (n = 102) with or without enuresis (n = 11, n = 91, respectively). Patients with SCZ had higher rates of childhood enuresis (21%) compared with SIB (11%; chi(2) = 6.42, P = 0.01) or controls (7%; chi(2) = 23.65, P < 0.0001) and relative risk for enuresis was increased in SIB (lambda(S) = 2.62). Patients with enuresis performed worse on two frontal lobe cognitive tests [Letter Fluency (t = 1.97, P = 0.05, df = 200) and Category Fluency (t = 2.15, P = 0.03, df = 200)] as compared with non-enuretic patients. Voxel-based morphometry analysis revealed grey matter volume reductions in several frontal regions (right BA 9, right BA 10 and bilateral BA 45) and right superior parietal cortex (BA 7) in patients with a history of enuresis as compared with non-enuretic patients (all t > 3.57, all P < 0.001). The high frequency of childhood enuresis associated with SCZ and abnormalities in prefrontal function and structure in patients with a childhood history of enuresis suggest that childhood enuresis may be a premorbid marker for neurodevelopmental abnormalities related to SCZ. These findings add to the evidence implicating prefrontal dysmaturation in this disorder, potentially related to genetic risk factors.

Behavioral comorbidity differs in subtypes of enuresis and urinary incontinence.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study is to describe the association of comorbid behavioral and somatic factors in children with different forms of nocturnal enuresis and daytime incontinence referred to a tertiary center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 166 consecutive children 5.1 to 16.4 years old were referred for detailed assessment between January 2004 and July 2006. Evaluation included a detailed history, pediatric examination, 24 to 48-hour voiding protocols, sonography and uroflow. Parents filled out the Child Behavior Checklist, a standardized parental questionnaire consisting of 113 problem items. ICD-10 diagnoses were given based on standardized mental state examination and mutual consensus conferences. RESULTS: In the full sample externalizing disorders were more than twice as common as internalizing disorders. Differences were found between children with nocturnal enuresis and daytime incontinence regarding parent reported externalizing behavior scores as well as rates of "at least 1 ICD-10 psychiatric diagnosis" and comorbid encopresis. Children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis showed fewer internalizing disorders and lower rates of "at least 1 ICD-10 psychiatric diagnosis" and comorbid encopresis compared to those with nonmonosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis, urge incontinence and voiding postponement. The results of sonography and uroflow measures also differed between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Different subtypes of enuresis and urinary incontinence demonstrate differences in behavioral problems and psychiatric comorbidity. The highest rates of psychiatric comorbidity were found in the group of children with voiding postponement and the lowest were in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. We recommend screening for comorbid psychiatric disorders in children with enuresis and urinary incontinence. Further investigations in a larger group of children are necessary.

The association between monosymptomatic enuresis and allergic diseases in children.

Yilmaz-Durmus S, Alaygut D, Soylu A, Alparslan C, Köse SS, Anal Ö. The association between monosymptomatic enuresis and allergic diseases in children. Turk J Pediatr 2018; 60: 415-420. This clinical study was designed to evaluate correlation between monosymptomatic enuresis (MSE) and allergic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and food allergy) in pediatric patients. The study was conducted on 50 pediatric patients with a MSE clinic who were ≥7 years old and applied to two tertiary health institutions between November 2015 and June 2016. Fifty healthy children of similar age, who applied to pediatric outpatient clinics for various reasons, were included as the control group. A questionnaire questioning the presence of food allergy and enuresis in the family and also including the questions of International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was distributed to the parents of the children included in the study. It was found that 52% of 100 children participating in the study were boys and 48% were girls and their mean age was 10.8±2.8 years. While allergic diseases accompanied 34% of the cases with enuresis, this rate was found as 12% in the control group (p < 0.01). It was determined that the family history in terms of enuresis and atopy was at a higher rate in the study group (40% and 26%, respectively) and at a lower rate in the control group (2% and 6%, respectively) (p < 0.01). It was observed that allergic diseases were more frequent in the cases with MSE at a statistically significant level compared to the group without enuresis.

Early detection of psychological problems in a population of children with enuresis: construction and validation of the Short Screening Instrument for Psychological Problems in Enuresis.

PURPOSE: The current study focuses on the construction and validation of the Short Screening Instrument for Psychological Problems in Enuresis, for emotional problems and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, in a population of children with enuresis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In phase I factor analyses were performed on 31 items of the Internalizing scale of the Child Behavior Checklist and on 18 items of the Attention Deficit Disorder scale of the Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale to select the most discriminating items. The question format and cutoff score for referral were determined by maximization of correctly classified patients, with the full Child Behavior Checklist and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale as standards. In phase II 109 children with enuresis (76 males and 33 females, mean age 8.5 years, SD 2.4) admitted to a tertiary care university hospital entered the validation study. The parents completed the Short Screening Instrument for Psychological Problems in Enuresis and the original questionnaires, ie Child Behavior Checklist and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale. RESULTS: Seven items (factor loading greater than 0.65) were selected for "emotional problems," 3 (greater than 0.80) for "attention problems" and 3 (greater than 0.75) for "hyperactivity/impulsivity problems." Full screening was indicated when at least 2 problem behaviors occurred at least "sometimes" for Child Behavior Checklist items or "frequently" for Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale items. Validation of the Short Screening Instrument for Psychological Problems in Enuresis revealed good accuracy for all subscales (approximately 88%), excellent specificity (0.91 to 0.99) and low to fair sensitivity (0.29 to 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: The Short Screening Instrument for Psychological Problems in Enuresis meets its goal because it leads to time efficient and early detection of problems of emotion, attention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. The implementation of this short questionnaire can contribute to better followup of medical treatment.

Non-REM Sleep Instability in Children With Primary Monosymptomatic Sleep Enuresis.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Sleep enuresis is one of the most common sleep disturbances in childhood. Parental perception of deeper sleep in children with sleep enuresis is not confirmed by objective studies. However, evidence of disturbed sleep has been demonstrated by questionnaire, actigraphy, and polysomnographic studies, but no neurophysiological correlation with low arousability has been found. The goal of this study was to analyze the sleep microstructure of children with sleep enuresis using cyclic alternating pattern (CAP) analysis. METHODS: Forty-nine children were recruited, 27 with enuresis (19 males and 8 females, mean age 9.78 years, 2.52 standard deviation) and 22 normal control patients (11 males and 11 females, mean age 10.7 years, 3.43 standard deviation); all subjects underwent clinical evaluation followed by a full-night polysomnographic recording. Psychiatric, neurological, respiratory, and renal diseases were excluded. RESULTS: No differences in sex, age, and apnea-hypopnea index were noted in the patients with enuresis and the control patients. Sleep stage architecture in children with sleep enuresis showed a decrease in percentage of stage N3 sleep. CAP analysis showed an increase in CAP rate in stage N3 sleep and in phase A1 index during stage N3 sleep in the sleep enuresis group, but also a significant reduction of A2% and A3% and of phases A2 and A3 indexes, supporting the concept of decreased arousability in patients with sleep enuresis. The decrease of phase A2 and A3 indexes in our patients might reflect the impaired arousal threshold of children with sleep enuresis. Sleep fragmentation might result in a compensatory increase of slow wave activity (indicated by the increase of CAP rate in stage N3 sleep) and may explain the higher arousal threshold (indicated by a decrease of phase A2 and A3 indexes) linked to an increased sleep pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate the presence of a significant disruption of sleep microstructure (CAP) in children with sleep enuresis, supporting the hypothesis of a higher arousal threshold.

CPAP Treats Enuresis in Adults With Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

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