Lower urinary tract symptoms in enuretic and nonenuretic children

We determined the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in enuretic and nonenuretic children and adolescents in an urban community.

We performed a cross-sectional survey including 296 children and adolescents in a small urban community. Trained medical students visited all homes and interviewed the parents or guardians. There were no refusals to participate. Results were analyzed using chi-square and McNemar statistics.

The enuresis rate was 10%, including 16.6% and 3.9% in children 5 to 10 years old and adolescents, respectively. The monosymptomatic enuresis rate was only 1.34%. Of those with vs without enuresis lower urinary tract symptoms were present in 86.7% vs 26.8% (p <0.001). In the nonenuretic group lower urinary tract symptoms were associated with nocturia (p = 0.008). The most common daytime urinary symptoms were urgency in 38.2% of cases, holding maneuvers in 30.4% and daytime incontinence in 27.5%. The prevalence rate decreased with age in the nonenuretic group (p = 0.013).

The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms was high. Nonmonosymptomatic enuresis was common and monosymptomatic enuresis was rare in this population based survey. In nonenuretic cases daytime symptoms were associated with nocturia, suggesting decreased bladder capacity with a mature arousal reaction.