DESMOPRESSIN IN THE TREATMENT OF NOCTURIA AND ENURESIS IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

Objectives To assess whether the synthetic vasopressin analogue desmop ressin [1-desamino 8-D-arginine vasopressin] is efficacious and safe i n the management of nocturia+/-enuresis in patients with multiple scle rosis. Patients and methods Twenty-two women and 11 men, under 65 year s of age, with clinically definite multiple sclerosis and nocturnal fr equency+/-enuresis were entered into the study. A two week placebo run -in, to establish normal voiding patterns, followed by a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study of 20 mu g intranasal desmopress in at night-time was carried out. Results Desmopressin caused a signif icant decrease in nocturnal urinary frequency, nocturnal urinary volum e and the percentage of total daily urine passed at night, There was n o significant fall in plasma sodium with desmopressin although there w ere two cases of asymptomatic hyponatraemia. Conclusion Desmopressin i s an efficacious and safe treatment for nocturia+/-enuresis in patient s with multiple sclerosis.