Psychiatric disorders in children with enuresis at 6 and 11 years old in a birth cohort

Abstract

Objective

Enuresis may have a negative impact on the self‐image in childhood and adolescence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between enuresis and psychiatric disorders at 6 and 11 years of age.

Method

3,356 children of a birth cohort were evaluated. A standard questionnaire on urinary habits and mental health (Development and Well‐Being Assessment [DAWBA]), was used. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders pursuant to the existence of enuresis and its subtypes (monosymptomatic and non‐monosymptomatic), stratified by sex, was described. A logistic regression was used for adjusted analysis.

Results

The prevalence of enuresis at age 6 years was of 10.2% (9% non‐monosymptomatic) and, at 11 years old, of 5.4% (4.5% non‐monosymptomatic). At age 6 years, boys with non‐monosymptomatic enuresis showed more hyperactivity disorders than those without enuresis (6.2% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.017). At 11 years old, after adjustment, among the boys with non‐monosymptomatic enuresis, the prevalence of any psychiatric disorder, hyperactivity disorders, and oppositional disorders was, respectively, 3.2, 3.4, and 2.6 times higher than in boys without enuresis; and, among the girls with non‐monosymptomatic enuresis, the prevalence of any psychiatric disorder and oppositional disorders was, respectively, 4 and 5.5 times higher than among girls without enuresis.

Conclusion

There is a strong association between non‐monosymptomatic enuresis and psychiatric disorders at 6 and 11 years old.