Bedwetting and psychopathology in adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain whether nocturnal enuresis in adolescents is associated with depression, hyperactivity, oppositionality, conduct and peer problems.


METHODS
This was investigated cross-sectionally in adolescents aged 12-16 years from a community sample (n = 528) and a clinically referred cohort (n = 2325) using parents' reports.


RESULTS
Referred adolescents were 7 times more likely to wet the bed than their community counterparts. There was a small but significant association between nocturnal enuresis and hyperactivity. Depressed adolescents were half as likely to wet the bed as those without depression. Bedwetters had more problems relating to peers but were not disliked more often. There was no association between bedwetting, oppositionality, conduct problems and gender. Gender differences disappeared when the effect of hyperactivity was controlled.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians need to inquire about symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adolescents who present with enuresis and vice versa.
Rey
J M
JM
Department of Psychiatry, University of Sydney and Rivendell, New South Wales, Australia.
Bird
K D
KD
Hensley
V R
VR
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications*; D004688:Encopresis / Q000150:complications*; D004775:Enuresis / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires