Psychiatry Investig.  2013 Sep;10(3):253-258.

Nocturnal Enuresis Is Associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Conduct Problems

• Park S
• Kim BN
• Kim JW
• Hong SB
• Shin MS
• Yoo HJ
• Cho SC

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
There are no published prevalence estimates of elimination disorders and their association with disruptive-behavior disorders among children in the Asian region using standardized diagnostic interviews. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of elimination disorders and its association with disruptive-behavior disorders in a representative sample of children in Seoul, Korea.
METHODS
The diagnosis of enuresis and encopresis was derived from parent-reported data for "enuresis and encopresis," collected using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, from a representative sample of 6- to 12-year-old children (n=1,645) who participated in the 2005 Seoul Child and Adolescent Mental Health Survey. Prevalence data for attention deficit and disruptive-behavior disorders were collected from the same sample.
RESULTS
The overall 12-month prevalence of nocturnal enuresis and encopresis was 1.8% and 0.6%, respectively. Enuresis and encopresis prevalence in boys was significantly greater than that in girls. Enuresis and encopresis was most common at 7 to 9 years of age. Enuresis was significantly associated with ADHD (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0-6.9) and conduct disorder (CD; OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.0-22.4).
CONCLUSION
Enuresis is significantly associated with ADHD and CD, so these conditions must be assessed together during the evaluation of children with enuresis.

Keyword

Enuresis; Encopresis; Prevalence; Comorbidities; ADHD; Conduct disorder

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity*
Child
Comorbidity
Conduct Disorder*
Diagnosis
Elimination Disorders
Encopresis
Enuresis
Humans
Mental Health
Nocturnal Enuresis*
Prevalence