PROGNOSTIC FACTORS FOR ALARM TREATMENT

A review of the literature concerning the use of enuresis alarms highl ighted the lack of standardised definitions used to define enuresis an d the insufficient understanding of the working mechanisms of alarms. Although first reported in 1904, enuresis alarms were not in routine u se until the 1930's. Sensors in the bed or underwear, in conjunction w ith audible warning devices are the most common types of alarms. The a larm success rate of approximately 75% is independent of the type of a larm and there is a low relapse rate. In predicting alarm response, st udies utilizing multivariate analysis techniques are superior to univa riate techniques, but no one or combination of predictor variables is currently known to predict outcome accurately enough to alter standard clinical decision making. It is imperative that definitions are stand ardized and that study protocols are applied uniformly to well-defined populations that have a better potential response to enuresis alarms - the best intervention currently available.