Short and long-term outcome of an outpatient training program for children with mono- and non- monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis
Purpose To evaluate short- and long-term outcome of an outpatient training for nocturnal enuresis (NE). Material and methods Inclusion criteria: children ≥7 years with NE, motivated for training. During a one-hour visit the nurse specialist (NS) evaluates the NE-history, explains causes of NE and discusses theraputic tips & tricks with the child and parent(s). All children are trained with a bedwetting alarm and receive a book about bedwetting. If indicated, medication (desmopressin; oxybutinin) is given. After 2 and 6 weeks an evaluation is performed and support is offered by telephone. At 4 months an evaluation at the outpatient clinic is carried out. Results were categorized as “dry”, “improved (≥50% decrease of wet nights)” or “not-improved” after both 4 and 10 months. Also change in medication/dosage was evaluated. Data were collected from the medical records and by telephone and analysed in SPSS 12.0. Results 20 children (13 boys, 7 girls) were included. Mean age: 11(8-20) years. 18/20 children had had unsuccessful other treatments before the onset of training. 3/20 had monosymptomatic, 17/20 had non monosymptomatic NE. Mean follow-up:17(4-34) months. Results at 4 months (n = 20): dry: 12/20(60%); improved: 3/20(15%); not improved: 5/20(25%) (including 2 who ended training before completion). Twelve(60%) needed additional medication. Results at 10 months (n = 16): dry: 11/16(68%); improved: 2/16(13%); 3/16(19%) ended training before 10 months). Six (38%) needed additional medication. Conclusions With outpatients’ training by the NS for children with NE, after 10 months (N = 16): 11/16(68%) are dry 2/16(13%) are improved, 3/16(19%) stopped training without improvement. Medication in only 6/16(38%) is still necessary after 10 months of training.