No relationship between family history of enuresis and response to desmopressin.
OBJECTIVE
We determined the prevalence of positive family history of nocturnal enuresis in relation to response to desmopressin.


METHODS
A total of 328 children with nocturnal enuresis and 53 normal children were interviewed to determine the presence of family history 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 microg. desmopressin intranasally.


RESULTS
Significantly more patients than normal children (75% versus 38%, p <0.001) reported a positive family history of enuresis (any relative). The high prevalence of a positive family history of nocturnal enuresis was present in severe/nonsevere or primary/secondary types of enuresis. Of the patients 141 completed 4 weeks of home recordings including 20 with a complete response (greater than 90% reduction in wet nights week), 25 with a partial 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). Similarly, family history, as defined by first order relatives only, showed no relation to treatment response.


CONCLUSIONS
A positive family history of nocturnal enuresis is more prevalent in patients with enuresis than in normal children regardless of the nature 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 and desmopressin resistant cases.
Schaumburg
H L
HL
Institute of Experimental Clinical Research and Department of Pediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark.
Rittig
S
S
Djurhuus
J C
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004775:Enuresis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012076:Renal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012076:Renal Agents; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin