The association between primary nonmonosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and the presence of specific phobia: a case–control study

Abstract

BackgroundNocturnal enuresis (NE) is a common childhood condition characterized by recurrent bedwetting in children with normal bladder control over 5 years old. The pathogenesis of this condition is unknown, but it is believed to have a complex etiology. NE is primary or secondary, monosymptomatic or nonmonosymptomatic (NMNE). MNE children do not have lower urinary tract (LUT) impairment, and their voided volumes are generally normal. NMNE is linked to malfunction of the LUT, with or without daytime incontinence. Several investigations have discovered significant associations between psychiatric problems, especially anxiety disorders and NMNE. Specific phobia is the most common lifelong anxiety disorder, characterized by extreme anxiety when a stimulus is encountered or expected. This study investigated the association between specific phobia and primary NMNE.MethodsA total of 204 children were studied, including 102 children with primary NMNE and 102 children in the control group. Girls with an FSS-II score greater than 75 and boys with a score greater than 78 were considered to have specific phobia disorder. The groups were compared using SPSS software version 23 and descriptive statistical methods.ResultsThe results of the recent study showed that the mean age of the children in the case and control groups was 7.69 and 7.19 years, respectively (p-value = 0.063). The male to female ratio was 49–53 in the case group and 43–59 in the control group (p-value = 0.399). In the study, the frequency of specific phobia in the case group was 12.7% and in the control group was 9.8% (p-value = 0.507).ConclusionsDespite the strong impacts of anxiety on children's NMNE, there is likely no significant association between specific phobia and primary NMNE.