Impact of urodynamics in treatment of primary nocturnal enuresis persisting into adulthood

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the urodynamic profiles of adults with primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) and the association of the urodynamic profile findings with the efficacy of desmopressin and/or tolterodine pharmacotherapy. At least 2% of adults are enuretic during the night. The diagnostic and treatment approach for PNE is empirically the same in children and adults.

Methods: A total of 20 nocturnal enuretic patients (12 women and 8 men) with a mean age of 27.1 years (range 20 to 42) were studied. They had wet their bed at least twice per week for the past 6 months. Urodynamic studies, including filling and voiding cystometry, pressure-flow study, and pelvic floor electromyography with superficial electrodes, were performed on all patients. Two of them had daytime symptoms, and two had prior failed desmopressin therapy. All patients began taking oral desmopressin 0.4 mg for 1 month. Their continence was assessed and tolterodine 4 mg was added for those in whom desmopressin alone failed. The patients responsive to desmopressin alone or desmopressin plus tolterodine were weaned from medication at 6 and 12 months to reassess continence. The mean follow-up period was 11.6 +/- 3.3 months (range 4 to 14).

Results: Urodynamic studies of 20 PNE adult patients revealed detrusor instability in 10 (50%), hypocompliance in 8 (40%), nonneurogenic detrusor-sphincter dyssynergy in 1 (5%), and no abnormality in 10 (50%). Of the 20 patients, 19 (95%) had no voiding bladder problems. Of the 10 patients responsive to desmopressin alone, 6 (60%) had a normal urodynamic profile; the remaining 4 (40%) had detrusor instability and/or hypocompliance. Of the 5 patients who received desmopressin and tolterodine, 3 achieved continence. The overall continence rate was 86% (13 of 15), and 12 (92%) of the 15 patients required maintenance therapy. In 2 patients (13.3%), desmopressin and tolterodine therapy failed. The efficacy of desmopressin alone and of desmopressin plus tolterodine were not related to the urodynamic profile findings (P >0.05). The urodynamic profile was also not related to the relapse rate after any form of pharmacotherapy (P >0.05).

Conclusions: PNE persisting into adulthood may be associated with abnormal urodynamic findings. Patients may benefit from urodynamic studies, because if the findings are abnormal, they might have the best chance of successful treatment.