The impact of a history of childhood nocturnal enuresis on adult nocturia and urgency.

Abstract

This study examined the association between a childhood history of nocturnal enuresis and nocturia and urgency as an adult. A questionnaire was completed by 3649 parents and grandparents of children with nocturnal enuresis. The age range of the respondents was 30-89, and 54% were female. The questionnaire included the respondent's age, underlying disease, the age at which nocturnal enuresis was resolved and any current nocturia and urgency. The responses enabled us to analyse the risk factors for nocturia and urgency for the total sample, the history of nocturnal eneurisis for 2555 adults aged from 30 to 79years and the age when nocturnal enuresis resolved for 1300 adults aged from 30 to 49years. Respondents were significantly more likely to have nocturia and urgency as adults if they had a history of nocturnal enuresis and were aged ≥12years when their nocturnal enuresis resolved. A childhood history of nocturnal enuresis, particularly nocturnal enuresis that resolved at ≥12years old, was associated with an increased frequency of adult nocturia and urgency. The impact of previous nocturnal enuresis on adult nocturia and urgency presents a risk that is comparable to ageing and prostatic disease.