A survey of voiding dysfunction in children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder

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Barry P Duel1, Robin Steinberg-Epstein, Maryann Hill

  • 1Antoci Center for Pediatric Urology and Nephrology, UC Irvine Medical Center, University of California, Irvine, Orange, 92868, USA.

The Journal of Urology
|September 23, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience higher rates of bladder dysfunction and incontinence. This study confirms a link between ADHD and increased voiding symptoms in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Urology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Behavioral Pediatrics

Background:

  • Physicians observe a higher prevalence of voiding dysfunction and incontinence in children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Empirical data to support this clinical observation were previously lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and functional bladder symptoms.
  • To compare voiding dysfunction rates in children with and without ADHD using a standardized survey.

Main Methods:

  • The Dysfunctional Voiding Symptom Survey (DVSS), a 10-question assessment, was administered to children with rigorously diagnosed ADHD and a control group.
  • The DVSS evaluates symptoms including daytime incontinence, nocturnal enuresis, constipation, urgency, voiding frequency, and dysuria, with scores ranging from 0 to 40.
  • Statistical analyses were performed separately for boys and girls, comparing aggregate and individual question scores between groups.

Main Results:

  • Children with ADHD exhibited significantly higher overall DVSS scores compared to the control group, indicating more severe voiding symptoms.
  • Boys with ADHD showed statistically significant differences in several individual voiding symptom categories.
  • Due to a limited sample size of girls, significant differences in individual symptom scores were not observed in this subgroup.

Conclusions:

  • Children diagnosed with ADHD demonstrate significantly increased rates of incontinence, constipation, urgency, infrequent voiding, nocturnal enuresis, and dysuria.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying causes of these differences.
  • Developing targeted treatment strategies for these associated voiding dysfunctions in children with ADHD is essential.
Abstract

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