No relationship between family history of enuresis and response to desmopressin

Purpose: We determined the prevalence of positive family history of nocturn al enuresis in relation to response to desmopressin. Materials and Methods: A total of 328 children with nocturnal enuresis and 53 normal children were interviewed to determine the presence of family his tory of nocturnal enuresis. Response to desmopressin was confirmed in some cases by home recordings of enuresis episodes during 2 baseline weeks and 2 weeks of 20 to 40 mug. desmopressin intranasally. Results: Significantly more patients than normal children (75% versus 38%, p < 0.001) reported a positive family history of enuresis (any relative). T he high prevalence of a positive family history of nocturnal enuresis was p resent in severe/nonsevere or primary/secondary types of enuresis. Of the p atients 141 completed 4 weeks of home recordings including 20 with a comple te response (greater than 90% reduction in wet nights week), 25 with a part ial response (50% to 90% reduction) and 96 with no response (less than 50% reduction). The prevalence of a positive family history (any relative) was no different among the response groups (80%, 84% and 78%, respectively). Si milarly, family history, as defined by first order relatives only, showed n o relation to treatment response. Conclusions: A positive family history of nocturnal enuresis is more preval ent in patients with enuresis than in normal children regardless of the nat ure of the nocturnal enuresis. In contrast to previous reports, a positive family history failed to predict a good response to desmopressin treatment. Hereditary factors are important to consider in desmopressin responding an d desmopressin resistant cases.