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Tricyclic and related drugs for nocturnal enuresis in children
1Health Services Research Unit (Flea), University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill Lea, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, UK, AB25 2ZD. c.glazener@abdn.ac.uk
Insights
Tricyclic drugs reduce bedwetting frequency in children during treatment, but long-term effectiveness is uncertain. Alarms may offer better sustained results compared to these medications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Nocturnal enuresis affects 15-20% of five-year-olds and up to 2% of young adults.
- It causes significant social, emotional, and psychological distress in children.
- Spontaneous remission rates are high, but interventions are often sought.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of tricyclic and related drugs for treating childhood nocturnal enuresis.
- To compare these drugs against other interventions, including behavioral therapies and desmopressin.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 22 randomized controlled trials involving 1100 children.
- Included trials compared tricyclic drugs with placebo, other drugs, or conservative interventions.
- Excluded participants with organic causes of enuresis; focused on nocturnal wetting only.
Main Results:
- Tricyclic drugs (e.g., imipramine) reduced wet nights by approximately one per week during treatment.
- Children using tricyclics were nearly five times more likely to achieve 14 dry nights.
- Desmopressin and tricyclics showed similar short-term effectiveness, but effects were not sustained post-treatment. Alarms showed better long-term outcomes than imipramine.
Conclusions:
- Tricyclic drugs offer a short-term reduction in nocturnal enuresis frequency.
- Long-term effectiveness of tricyclic drugs remains unknown; relapse rates are a concern.
- Alarms may be a more effective long-term solution; further research comparing drug and behavioral treatments is needed.
Background:
Enuresis (bedwetting) is a socially unacceptable and stressful condition which affects around 15-20% of five year olds, and up to 2% of young adults. Although there is a high rate of spontaneous remission, the social, emotional and psychological costs to the children can be great.
Objectives:
To assess the effects of tricyclic and related drugs on nocturnal enuresis in children, and to compare them with other interventions.
Search Strategy:
The following electronic databases were searched: MEDLINE to June 1997; AMED; ASSIA; BIDS; BIOSIS Previews (1985-1996); CINAHL; DHSS Data; EMBASE (1974 to June 1997); PsycLIT and SIGLE. Organisations, manufacturers, researchers and health professionals concerned with enuresis were contacted for information. The reference sections of obtained studies were also checked for further trials. Date of the most recent search: July 1997.
Selection Criteria:
All randomised trials of tricyclic and related drugs for nocturnal enuresis in children were included in the review. Trials were eligible for inclusion if: children were randomised to receive tricyclics compared with placebo, other drugs or other conservative interventions for nocturnal bedwetting; participants with organic causes for their bedwetting were excluded; and baseline assessments of the level of bedwetting were provided. Trials focused solely on daytime wetting were excluded.
Data Collection And Analysis:
Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the eligible trials, and extracted data.
Main Results:
Twenty two randomised trials, involving 1100 children treated with tricyclic or related drugs, met the inclusion criteria. The quality of many of the trials was poor. Only single trials compared tricyclic or related drugs with each other, other drugs, desmopressin, alarms or other behavioural interventions. Treatment with tricyclic drugs (such as imipramine, amitriptyline, viloxazine, clomipramine and desipramine but not mianserin) were associated with a reduction of about one wet night per week while on treatment (eg using imipramine, WMD -0.99, 95% CI -1.27 to -0.71). Children were almost five times more likely to achieve 14 dry nights with the drugs (eg using imipramine, RR = 4.99, 95% CI 2.4 to 10.40). Desmopressin and tricyclics appeared equally effective while on treatment, but this effect was not sustained after treatment stopped. There was no detectable difference between imipramine and alarms while on treatment, but afterwards those who had used alarms had one fewer wet night per week (WMD 1.03, 95% CI 0. 19 to 1.87).
Reviewer'S Conclusions:
Treatment with tricyclic drugs (imipramine, amitriptyline, viloxazine, clomipramine and desipramine but not mianserin) was associated with a reduction of about one wet night per week while on treatment, but long term effectiveness is unknown. Desmopressin and tricyclics appeared equally effective while on treatment, but this effect was not sustained after treatment stopped. Alarms may be more effective in the long term. Comparisons between drug and behavioural treatments are needed, and should include relapse rates after treatment is finished.