Parental Experiences With Nocturnal Enuresis: Treatment Use, Dissatisfaction, and Psychosocial Impact in a Large...

To characterize parental perspectives on nocturnal enuresis (NE), including awareness of therapies, psychosocial impact, and openness to neuromodulation, and to compare survey responses for monosymptomatic (MNE) and nonmonosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (NMNE).

An anonymous cross-sectional online survey was distributed to parents and guardians of children with NE. The survey assessed demographics, respondent and child concern, treatment awareness and use, and openness to novel interventions. Descriptive statistics and comparative analyses between MNE and NMNE were performed.

A total of 261 responses were received. Most respondents were parents or guardians of boys (68.2%) aged 5-10 years (56.7%). Respondent concern was high (median 8/10), as was motivation to pursue treatment (median 10/10). Among 184 respondents providing treatment histories, 61.4% reported trying a single modality (41 alarms, 21 medications, 51 behavioral), 32.1% reported two, and 6.5% reported three. Dissatisfaction was common, and free-text responses emphasized psychosocial consequences. NMNE was most common in 5-10-year-olds, whereas MNE predominated among older children (p < 0.001). A greater proportion of NMNE patients were male (72.8% vs. 54.5%, p = 0.010). Perception of the child's concern was significantly lower among NMNE (median 5/10 vs. 7/10, p = 0.039). Awareness of bedwetting solutions was not significantly different between respondents of children with NMNE versus MNE (61.8% vs. 75.2%, p = 0.051).

Parents and guardians of children with NE report high concern and motivation but frequent dissatisfaction with current therapies. Families remain receptive to innovative, technology-based interventions, underscoring opportunities for further clinical adoption and research.