Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a 3-month enuresis alarm (EA) treatment and repeat EA treatment among pediatric patients with nocturnal enuresis, and to compare patient characteristics among "responders" and "nonresponders" to treatment.
Materials and methods: Clinical outcomes were retrospectively evaluated for 137 children (94 boys and 43 girls, mean age, 10.1 years). Effectiveness was evaluated after an initial 3-month treatment, using the International Children's Continence Society criteria. Among children in the no-response group at 3 months, those who continued the EA treatment for ≥4 months were subclassified into group 1, whereas children who repeated the EA treatment at an interval ≥6 months were subclassified into group 2.
Results: Among our 137 cases, 19 achieved complete response and 47 achieved partial response at 3 months, for an overall treatment effectiveness rate of 48%. Among the no-response group, treatment was extended in 17 cases (group 1), with 3 (18%) achieving a successful outcome. Treatment was repeated in 18 cases (group 2). In group 2, 8 (44%) achieved successful outcome at 3-month time point. Daytime urinary incontinence did not modify treatment effectiveness.
Conclusion: EA treatment should be given for a short period of time and should not be continued without a definite purpose or clear response. Suspending and then repeating this treatment after an appropriate interval is effective for patients who do not respond to the initial course of treatment.
Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.