Treatment of nocturnal enuresis in France

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current incidence of nocturnal enuresis in Franc e and the ways this condition is managed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A survey was conducted amongst 3,803 school children (5 to 10 years old). In addition, management of nocturnal enuresis proposed by various specialists were collected through an analysis of the literatur e. RESULTS: The incidence of nocturnal enuresis was found to be 9.2% (11.2% in the subgroup of patients 5 to 7 years of age). 42% of the children (the mo st severe cases) stated they were bothered by their problem and that it aff ected their social life, although the mothers had a tendency to minimize th e impact of enuresis. 66% of the mothers of children suffering from moderat e to severe enuresis did address the problem to a medical doctor, mainly a general practitioner Amongst these latter, 20% did nor propose any solution . The remaining mainly proposed advise for lifestyle and dietary habits as well as a "wait and see" attitude. As a specific treatment drugs (oxybutini n 48%, desmopressin 22%, imipramine 12%) were prescribed more often than al arms as drugs proved to be more effective than alarms. 48% of the mothers o f enuretic children considered that doctors do not pay enough attention to this problem. Options for specific treatments of nocturnal enuresis vary fr om one specialist to another. CONCLUSION: A consensus about the most appropriate management approach to n octurnal enuresis is needed. Management of voiding dysfunction should be pa rt of the medical curriculum.