Management of primary nocturnal enuresis

Method of data collection and synthesis The present statement was last revised in 2002. A PubMed search was conducted for articles published since 1999 to ensure appropriate overlap with the previous review. The search was conducted using the search term ‘Enuresis’, and was limited to ‘Clinical Trials’, ‘Randomized Controlled Trials’ and ‘MetaAnalyses’. In addition, relevant systematic reviews from the Cochrane database were identified, as were relevant references from identified articles. A single reviewer appraised the quality of the articles. Articles about therapy were appraised by using the method of Sackett et al [3] and systematic reviews were appraised by using the method of Oxman et al [4]. General measures A thorough history and physical examination are essential. A family history of enuresis is often present. Recent studies have identified a gene for enuresis on chromosome 13q [5]. For primary nocturnal enuresis, when the history and physical examination are completely reassuring, the low pretest probability of a true-positive result on urinalysis may obviate the need for any routine tests at all, given the potential to generate false-positive results. Judicious, rather than routine, tests for primary nocturnal enuresis are most appropriate.