The efficacy of an enuresis alarm in monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis

Özgür BC, Özgür S, Dogan V, Örün UA
Correspondence: Dr Berat Cem Özgür, bcemozgur@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT
Introduction Monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) is a frequent problem in children older than five years of age. Of the various treatment options, the enuresis alarm has been widely advocated for treating nocturnal enuresis. This study was designed to evaluate the success rates of the enuretic alarm device in patients with MNE.
Methods 40 patients who had significant MNE (three or more wet nights per week)were included. They used an enuretic alarm for 12 weeks initially. If a relapse was observed, reusage of the device was provided. A success criterion was defined as “14 consecutive dry nights” and a relapse criterion was “more than one wet night a week”.
Results The patients’ mean age was 8.1 (range 6–16) years and the mean follow-up time was 10.2 (range 6–19) months. 27 patients became dry at night at the end of three months. In the follow-up period, a relapse was observed in 66.7 percent of the initial responders. For recovery, 14 patients started to reuse the device, and seven of them responded positively. At the end of the treatment, a total of 13 of the patients had benefited from the enuretic alarm.
Conclusion During the follow-up, the enuretic alarm device provided acceptable initial and long-term complete dryness in patients with primary nocturnal enuresis. Without the need for expensive pharmacological intervention, the alarm treatment is an effective choice for children with nocturnal enuresis.

Keywords: enuresis alarm, monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis, nocturnal enuresis, primary nocturnal enuresis
Singapore Med J 2009; 50(9): 879-880