DESMOPRESSIN (DDAVP) TREATMENT IN ADULT SLEEP-RELATED ENURESIS

In an open prospective study we investigated the efficacy of intranasa l administration of 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) in enu retic adults during military service. Twelve male enuretic soldiers ag ed 18-19 years (18.9 +/- 0.5 years), with a history of resistance to t ricyclic antidepressant treatment and to behavioural therapy, were inc luded in the study. Patients were treated with 20-40 mg (bedtime dose) DDAVP. A significant decrease in the frequency of enuresis was demons trated (3.4 +/- 4.3 versus baseline of 8.2 +/- 3.3 days, p = 0.01). Fo ur patients achieved complete dryness and four patients achieved parti al response. It seems that intranasal DDAVP can be an effective and sa fe treatment in young adult sleep-related enuresis. (C) 1997 John Wile y & Sons, Ltd.