Alarm therapy and desmopressin in the treatment of patients with nocturnal enuresis

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the rates of success, relapse, and compliance to treatment in patients undergoing alarm therapy or receiving desmopressin for primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was performed by reviewing the medical files of patients undergoing alarm therapy (Group 1) or receiving desmopressin (Group 2) for PMNE, between January 2010 and July 2014. Patients undergoing treatment in the 3rd and 6th month as well as 1st year follow-up data were analyzed. Two groups were compared with regard to treatment success, relapse rate, and compliance to treatment. Results: Group 1 included 64 and Group 2 included 70 children. Relapse rates at the 3rd month, 6th month, and 1st year were 67.2%, 71.9%, and 17.0% for Group 1 and 74.3%, 80.0%, and 21.4% for Group 2, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between relapse rates at any point of follow-up. Conclusions: Alarm therapy and desmopressin have the same success rate and relapse rates for PMNE. Compliance with alarm therapy is higher and we recommend it as the first-line treatment. On the other hand, desmopressin has low side effects and can also be used.

Keywords

• alarm therapy
• children
• desmopressin
• enuresis