Transition in enuresis patients: Identifying the gaps and opportunities for the future.

BACKGROUND: Nocturnal enuresis is generally considered a children's condition, yet it may persist 1%-2% in adolescence and early adulthood. Refractory patients often demand follow-up by multidisciplinary teams, which is only restricted to some of the expert tertiary centers. However, there are no standardized transition programs/guidelines when follow-up must be passed from pediatric to adult healthcare providers. AIM, MATERIALS & METHODS: To investigate this issue, we conducted a literature search on enuresis transition, which resulted in no articles. We, therefore, proceeded in a rescue search strategy: we explored papers on transition programs of conditions that may be related and/or complicated by enuresis, nocturia, or other urinary symptoms (chronic diseases, CKD, bladder dysfunction, kidney transplant, neurogenic bladder). RESULTS: These programs emphasize the need for a multidisciplinary approach, a transition coordinator, and the importance of patient and parent participation, practices that could be adopted in enuresis. The lack of continuity in enuresis follow-up was highlighted when we investigated who was conducting research and publishing on enuresis and nocturia. Pediatric disciplines (50%) are mostly involved in children's studies, and urologists in the adult ones (37%). DISCUSSION: We propose a stepwise approach for the transition of children with enuresis from pediatric to adult care, depending on the clinical subtype: from refractory patients who demand more complex, multidisciplinary care and would benefit from a transition coordinator up to children/young adults cured of enuresis but who persist in having or present lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)/nocturia later on. In any case, the transition process should be initiated early at the age of 12-14 years, with adequate information to the patient and parents regarding relapses or LUTS/nocturia occurrence and of the future treating general practitioner on the enuresis characteristics and comorbidities of the patient.

Clinical efficacy of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) versus sham therapy (part I) and TTNS versus percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) (part II) on the short term in children with the idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome: protocol for part I of the twofold double-blinded randomized controlled TaPaS trial.

BACKGROUND: Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) are effective and safe therapies for overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome in adults. However, few randomized sham-controlled trials have been conducted in a pediatric population. To our knowledge, both therapies never have been compared in children. AIM: The aim of the complete study is twofold: (1) to assess the efficacy of TTNS therapy on bladder symptoms after 12 weeks of treatment in a pediatric population with idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome (iOAB) and/or nocturnal enuresis (part I) and (2) to assess the effect of TTNS compared to PTNS (part II). In this article, we aim to present the protocol of the first part of the TaPaS trial (TTNS, PTNS, sham therapy). METHODS: Part I of the TaPaS trial is set up as a single-center randomized-controlled trial. Children, aged from 5 to 12 years with iOAB and/or nocturnal enuresis, are assigned to two groups by computer-generated randomization: TTNS therapy (intervention) and sham therapy (control). The primary outcome is the percentage difference in average voided volume (AVV) between baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Secondary endpoints are the percentage difference in supervoid volumes, number of urinary incontinence episodes/24 h and in voiding frequency, the difference in parent reported outcomes between baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment, and the duration of clinical response. DISCUSSION: We hypothesize that TTNS is a non-inferior treatment for iOAB in children compared to PTNS therapy. Since literature is inconclusive about the efficacy of TTNS in a pediatric population, a sham-controlled RCT on TTNS will be conducted (part I). A protocol for a prospective randomized sham-controlled trial has been developed. Enrolment has started in November 2018. Study completion of part I is expected by August 2021. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04256876 . Retrospectively registered on February 5, 2020.

Uroflow measurement combined with electromyography testing of the pelvic floor in healthy children.

AIMS: To investigate if the standard protocol for uroflowmetry, recommended by the International Children's Continence Society, remains accurate when integrating EMG measurement by means of superficial electrodes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted including healthy children. Group A performed two direct repetitions of uroflowmetry in combination with electromyography (uroflow/EMG). Group B performed a preceding measurement of isolated uroflowmetry, followed by two randomized measurements of uroflowmetry with and without EMG. Interpretation of uroflow curve was assessor blinded by a pediatric urologist and secondly performed using the flow index methodology. Statistical analysis compared different voids within each group and between group A and B. RESULTS: Eighty-three children were included and 206 uroflow measurements were obtained. In both groups statistical findings confirmed the hypothesis that it is preferable to perform an additional measurement before the use of uroflow/EMG. Although both groups showed improvement between voids, the group with initial uroflow measurement followed by uroflow/EMG measurement showed more improvement in concern of curve pattern. An initially better first void in group A, but no statistical difference between the second void in group A and uroflow/EMG testing in group B further demonstrates a higher improvement in group B. This suggests the use of a precedent uroflowmetry without EMG is preferable to immediate testing with EMG. CONCLUSIONS: It should be mandatory to perform one measurement in advance to ensure the reliability of the results. It is suggested to initiate the procedure with a single uroflowmetry measurement followed by one measurement of uroflow with EMG testing.

Risk Factors for Daytime or Combined Incontinence in Children with Cerebral Palsy.

PURPOSE: We identify risk factors for daytime or combined urinary incontinence in children with cerebral palsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted including children with cerebral palsy with or without daytime or combined urinary incontinence from the CP-Reference Center at Ghent University Hospital and 2 associated special education schools. Factors were subdivided in 3 clusters of demographic and general medical data, cerebral palsy classification, and bladder and bowel dysfunction. Data were obtained using uroflowmetry with electromyography testing, a nonvalidated questionnaire and bladder diaries. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for variables and clusters, respectively. A final associative logistic model including all clusters was developed. RESULTS: The study included 34 incontinent children and 45 continent children. Daytime or combined urinary incontinence was associated with intellectual disability (OR 7.69), swallowing problems (OR 15.11), use of external aids (OR 27.50) and use of laxatives (OR 13.31). Daytime or combined urinary incontinence was positively associated with dyskinesia (OR 5.67) or combined spasticity and dystonia (OR 4.78), bilateral involvement (OR 4.25), Gross Motor Function Classification System level IV (OR 10.63) and V (OR 34.00), and severe impairment in manual (OR 24.27) or communication skills (OR 14.38). Lower maximum voided volume (OR 0.97) and oral fluid intake (OR 0.96) influenced daytime or combined urinary incontinence negatively. Pathological uroflow curves were not significantly associated with incontinence. The final model defined functional impairment, intellectual disability and oral fluid intake as predictive factors for daytime or combined urinary incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Risk analysis revealed functional impairment, intellectual disability and fluid intake as important factors influencing continence in a child with cerebral palsy.

Lower urinary tract symptoms and urodynamic findings in children and adults with cerebral palsy: A systematic review.

AIMS: To systematically review the scientific literature addressing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and urodynamic findings in adults and children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Prognostic factors were also investigated. METHODS: A systematic research was conducted on the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL. Only full text clinical trials which examined the prevalence of LUTS or urodynamic findings in children or adults with CP were eligible. LUTS and urodynamic findings, defined by the International Children's Continence Society, were extracted from the included studies. Pooled average of extracted data was calculated. Studies were scored on methodological and reporting quality using the Dutch Cochrane Checklist, EBRO guidelines, and the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Statement (STROBE) checklist. RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies fulfilled selection criteria. Methodological and reporting quality were moderate to low. An average of 55.5% of subjects with CP experience one or more LUTS. Storage symptoms are more common than voiding symptoms due to the high prevalence of neurogenic detrusor overactivity. Patients with voiding symptoms and pelvic floor overactivity are more prone to progress to upper urinary tract dysfunction in adult life. Urodynamic evaluation can direct management. Negative prognostic factors are the spastic subtype with quadriplegic distribution, moderate to severe functional impairment (GMFCS III or higher) and severe cognitive impairment. CONCLUSION: The significant prevalence of LUTS, risk for deterioration, and the impact of urinary tract symptoms on quality of life and health status warrants the need for evaluation and treatment in further research. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:541-549, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Treatment of daytime urinary incontinence: A standardization document from the International Children's Continence Society.

PURPOSE: This article is a standardization document of the International Children's Continence Society (ICCS); it represent a consensus of ICCS on the management of pediatric daytime urine incontinence (DUI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This document was designed and written by a multi-disciplinary core group of authors appointed by the ICCS' board. RESULTS: Based on evidence of studies and the experience of experts, the treatment guideline of DUI is assembled in this standardization document. Guidelines and the algorithm of management include non-pharmacological treatment (urotherapy), as well as the pharmacological therapy and other modalities that are presented for DUI in general, as along with recommendations for individual conditions. CONCLUSION: The final document is not a systematic literature review. It includes relevant research when available as well as experts' opinion on the current understanding of daytime incontinence in children. This document illustrates that specific treatment of DUI based on an exact diagnosis is effective. The mainstay of treatment is urotherapy, but a combination of treatment modalities is often necessary. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:43-50, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

New device and new concept for treating nocturnal enuresis: preliminary results of a phase one study.

OBJECTIVE: This new device for nocturnal enuresis (NE) consists of a humidity sensor, which beyond activating the sound also triggers an electrical stimulus, contracts the pelvic floor muscles and closes the urethra, thereby interrupting the void. The aim of this study is to test if the theoretical principle described above is true and if the device used is safe. As a secondary endpoint, we studied the efficacy of this device in a small number of patients with NE. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The age of the patients ranged from 7 to 20 years old, with an average of 11 years. Two surface electrodes are placed at 3 and 9 o'clock on the perineum area. When the humidity sensor is activated it triggers an electrical circuit with a current frequency of 50 Hz. After 20 s of perineal contraction, if the patient does not turn down the device, a buzz sounds and the parents or the child will wake up. In this way, the child is taught to go to the toilet and void. All patients who used the device were also treated with behavior modifications. The definition of resolution of NE was 1 month of dry consecutive nights. RESULTS: All patients had daily or almost daily NE (two failed with DDAVP and alarm treatment). Four patients had monosymptomatic NE and two had the non-monosymptomatic form. In five patients the device worked as expected and one patient continued wetting the bed and dropped out of the treatment. The five patients who kept using the device had the symptoms resolved completely. There were no recognizable side effects associated with this treatment. CONCLUSION: The presented device works as a conventional enuresis alarm with the addition of a pelvic floor contraction. This has the advantage of the children not wetting the bed during treatment. This principle was proved by this study and the device demonstrated itself to be safe.

Self-reported urinary incontinence, voiding frequency, voided volume and pad-test results: variables in a prospective study in children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the congruence between self-reported and objective data on incontinence, voided volume (VV) and voiding frequency (VF), in a prospective study of treatment of functional urinary incontinence (UI) due to urge syndrome or dysfunctional voiding in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 202 children, enrolled in the European Bladder Dysfunction Study (EBDS), provided self-reported data on UI, VV and VF, before and after treatment, with validated questionnaires and 72-h voiding diaries. Objective data were obtained with uroflowmetry and a 12-h pad test, also before and after treatment. Questionnaires and diaries were checked and scored by a urotherapist, at scheduled office visits that were combined with uroflowmetry. RESULTS: At entry, parents under-reported UI on the questionnaires in 45% of cases, compared with the urotherapist's scores, and the 12-h pad test sensitivity for UI was only 64% (95% confidence interval 55-73%). The voiding diaries had inconsistent entries on UI and on VV. VF was overestimated in the questionnaires and underestimated in the diaries, compared with the urotherapist's scores. A VF of >7/day decreased significantly after EBDS treatment, but with no correlation with treatment outcome. The mean VV increased significantly after treatment for UI, also with no correlation with treatment outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Voiding diaries and questionnaires are useful tools for charting individual treatment and for screening, but they are ill-suited to documenting outcome variables in urge syndrome or dysfunctional voiding, because of over- and under-reporting. VV and VF lack specificity as outcome variables in children with urge syndrome or dysfunctional voiding. The 12-h pad test is not sensitive enough to complement self-reported symptoms of UI in children with urge syndrome or dysfunctional voiding. Clinical studies on UI rely on complaints and self-reported symptoms, but in children the reporting should be supervised by a trained urotherapist, to provide the necessary checks and balances.

Pelvic floor spasms in children: an unknown condition responding well to pelvic floor therapy.

OBJECTIVE: During a study period of 4 years, 21 children are seen for night time pelvic pain. These children typical wake up in the middle of the night with severe lower abdominal or perineal pain. During day some of them suffer urge syndrome. During urodynamic investigation extremely high pelvic floor activity as recorded by high urethral pressure was observed in these children. We therefore started pelvic floor relaxation biofeedback in these children. METHODS: All children diagnosed with pelvic floor spasms underwent biofeedback pelvic floor relaxation therapy in order to learn them to counteract pelvic pain due to these spasms. In those girls in whom detrusor hyperactivity was seen on urodynamics concomitant anticholinergic treatment was given (oxybutynin). RESULTS: Between January 1998 and January 2002 symptomatic pelvic floor spasms were diagnosed in 21 children (19 girls/2 boys). Pelvic floor relaxation biofeedback was successful for treatment of this condition in 17 of 21 children. Mean duration of therapy was 3 months (12 weekly sessions) and on long term follow-up relapse was seen in 3 of 17 successfully treated children. 10 of 17 successfully treated children received anticholinergics. CONCLUSION: Pelvic floor spasms in children (which can be secondary to detrusor overactivity) respond well to pelvic floor relaxation therapy.