Study of the profile of behavioral problems and quality of life indexes in a pediatric cohort of monosymptomatic enuresis / Estudo do perfil dos problemas de comportamento e dos índices de qualidade de vida numa coorte pediátrica de enurese monossintomática

Abstract Objective: To evaluate and correlate, before and after the therapeutic intervention, the behavioral problem scores evaluated by the CBCL/6-18 questionnaire and the quality of life indexes evaluated by the PedsQL™ 4.0 in patients with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. Method: After the initial evaluation and completion of the CBCL/6-18 questionnaire, a multidisciplinary evaluation and completion of the PedsQL™ 4.0 questionnaire was performed. Of the initially evaluated 140 children and adolescents aged 6-16 years, 58 were excluded due to non-monosymptomatic enuresis or associated comorbidities. Of the initially included 82 patients, who were randomized to three treatment groups, 59 completed the CBCL/6-18 and PedsQL™ 4.0 questionnaires at the end of the treatment and were included in this study. The α error was set at 5% for ruling out the null hypothesis. Results: Of the total of 59 participants, 45.8% responded with total success, 23.7% were partially successful, 23.7% did not reach the improvement criteria, and 6.8% gave up the treatment. There was a significant increase in quality of life indexes and a reduction of post-intervention behavioral problem scores, in the three proposed modalities, in patients who had a total or partial response to treatment. There was no correlation between higher scores of pre-treatment behavior problems and therapeutic failure. Conclusions: Only the participants who successfully responded to interventions showed improvement in quality of life and behavioral problems, which indicates that enuresis is a primary problem that has a negative impact on these parameters. The authors suggest that it is possible to achieve success in the treatment of monosymptomatic enuresis, even in patients with high pre-intervention behavioral problem scores.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar e relacionar, pré e pós-intervenção terapêutica, em pacientes com enurese noturna monossintomática, os escores de problemas de comportamento, avaliados pelo questionário CBCL/6-18, e os índices de qualidade de vida, avaliados pelo PedsQL™ 4.0. Método: Após avaliação inicial e preenchimento CBCL6/18, procedeu-se avaliação multidisciplinar e preenchimento do PedsQL™ 4.0. Das 140 crianças e adolescentes de 6 a 16 anos inicialmente avaliados, 58 foram excluídos por enurese não monossintomática ou comorbidades associadas. Dos 82 pacientes inicialmente incluídos e randomizados em três grupos de tratamento, 59 preencheram o CBCL/6-18 e PedsQL™ 4.0 no fim do tratamento e puderam ser incluídos neste trabalho. O erro alfa foi estabelecido em 5% para descarte da hipótese de nulidade. Resultados: Dos 59 participantes 45,8% responderam com sucesso total, 23,7% tiveram sucesso parcial, 23,7% não atingiram critério de melhoria e 6,8% desistiram do tratamento. Verificou-se aumento significativo dos índices de qualidade de vida e redução dos escores de problemas de comportamento pós-intervenção, nas três modalidades propostas, nos pacientes que obtiveram resposta total ou parcial ao tratamento. Não se demonstrou correlação entre maiores escores de problemas de comportamento pré-tratamento e insucesso terapêutico. Conclusões: Apenas os participantes que responderam com sucesso às intervenções melhoraram em sua qualidade de vida e problemas comportamentais, o que indica que a enurese é um problema primário que impacta negativamente esses parâmetros. Sugere-se que é viável obter sucesso no tratamento da enurese monossintomática, mesmo em pacientes com altos escores de problemas de comportamento pré-intervenção.

Efeitos do tratamento com alarme para enurese no autoconceito de crianças / Effects of alarm treatment for enuresis on children's self-concept / Efectos del tratamiento con alarma para enuresis en el autoconcepto de niños

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a eficácia do tratamento comportamental para enurese com uso de alarme, realizado à distância, e avaliar efeitos da intervenção no autoconceito dos participantes. Trata-se de um ensaio clínico com delineamento quase-experimental de grupos. Trinta e uma crianças com enurese primária monossintomática participaram (M(idade)=8,3; DP=1,3), 15 meninos (48,3%). Para avaliar a enurese, foi utilizado o Formulário de Avaliação da Enurese; para o autoconceito, a Escala de Autoconceito Infantojuvenil; para instruções sobre o tratamento, o Guia de Pais. A taxa de sucesso no tratamento foi de 71%. Houve diferença estatisticamente detectável na variação do autoconceito pessoal pré e pós-intervenção (M=4,8; DP=1,9; vs M=6,1; DP=1,9; p=0,01), independentemente do desfecho, e diferenças no autoconceito social entre as médias de crianças que tiveram sucesso no tratamento (M=9,8; DP=1,9 vs M=0,5; DP=1,5; p=0,03). A proposta de tratamento da enurese apresentada é viável e eficaz e impactou positivamente o autoconceito das crianças avaliadas. (AU)

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of enuresis alarm therapy, performed at a distance, and to evaluate the effects of the intervention on the participants' self-concept. This is a clinical trial with a quasi-experimental group design. Thirty-one children with mono-symptomatic primary enuresis participated (M(age)=8.3, SD=1.3), 15 boys (48.3%). Assessments were made using the Enuresis Evaluation Form; Child-Juvenile Self-Concept Scale; and the Parents' Guide, for treatment instructions. Treatment success rate was 71%. There was a statistically significant difference in the variation of the personal self-concept before and after intervention (M=4.8, SD=1.9; vs M=6.1, SD=1.9; p=0.01), regardless of the outcome (M=9.8, SD=1.9 vs M=0.5, SD=1.5; p=0.03), and differences in the social self-concept among the means of children who had successful treatment (M=9.8, SD=1.9 vs M=0.5, DP=1.5; p=0.03). The proposed enuresis treatment is feasible and effective, and positively impacted the self-concept of the children evaluated. (AU)

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la eficacia del tratamiento comportamental para Enuresis, con uso de alarma, realizado a distancia, y evaluar también los efectos de la intervención en el autoconcepto de los participantes.Se trata de un ensayo clínico con delineamiento casi experimental de grupos. Participaron 31 niños con enuresis primaria monosintomático (M(edad)=8,3; DP=1,3), 15 varones (48,3%). Para evaluar la enuresis fue utilizado el Formulario de Evaluación de Enuresis, para el autoconcepto; Escala de Autoconcepto Infanto Juvenil, para instrucciones sobre el tratamiento; Guía de Padres. La tasa de éxito del tratamiento fue de 71%. Hubo diferencia estadísticamente detectable en la variación del autoconcepto personal antes y después de la intervención (M=4,8; DP=1,9; vs M=6,1; DP=1,9; p=0,01) independiente de los resultados, y diferencias en el autoconcepto social entre el promedio de los niños que tuvieron un tratamiento exitoso (M=9,8; DP=1,9 vs M=0,5; DP=1,5; p=0,03). La propuesta del tratamiento de enuresis presentada es viable y eficaz e impactó positivamente en el autoconcepto de los niños evaluados. (AU)

Methods and Rates of Punishment Implemented by Families to Enuretic Children in Turkey

Purpose Nocturnal enuresis is a serious health problem affecting a significant portion of the population. In this study, we investigated the frequency of punishment methods in nocturnal enuresis (NE) in Turkey and its relationship with other parameters. Materials and Methods A total of 501 children (301 boys and 200 girls) who were admitted to our outpatient clinic due to nocturnal enuresis were included in the study. Mean age was 9.39 years (range 5-18). Prepared questionnaire form inquiring educational status of the family, frequency and implementation and duration of punishment methods was applied to patients and families. Results At least one punishment method was applied to 291 (58.1%) of children with NE. Punishment methods of parents were detected as condemnation (257 patients, 51.3%), depriving desires of the child (120 patients, 23.9%), humiliating the child in the presence of other children (113 patients, 22.6%), reprimanding- threatening with punishment (203 patients, 40.5%). This application was found to continue for longer than 1 year in 52% of punished children. Families graduated of high school and above were found to use punishment methods significantly more than others. Conclusion According to the results of our study, a quite high proportion of enuretic children were detected to be exposed to punishment methods. Even, some parents consider that these methods are a part of nocturnal enuresis treatment. We, the doctors, should endeavor more for raising awareness of the community in order to diminish this worrisome behavior. .

Adesão em saúde e psicoterapia: conceituação e aplicação na enurese noturna / Adherence in health and psychotherapy: conceptualization and application in nocturnal enuresis / L'adhésion dans la santé et la psychothérapie: concepts et l'application avec l'énurésie nocturne / La adhesión en la salud y la psicoterapia: conceptuación y aplicación en la enuresis nocturna

Existem diversos estudos sobre preditores da não adesão, mas poucos mostram estratégias efetivas para lidar com esse problema. Uma revisão da literatura sobre desistência em psicoterapia mostrou que quase metade dos pacientes que ingressam num atendimento não o concluem. A medida na psicoterapia em geral é a de não adesão, ou desistência do tratamento; no presente trabalho serão apresentados dados relativos à adesão ao tratamento da enurese com alarme de urina. A taxa de desistência em um grupo de 61 crianças e adolescentes foi levantada considerando três condições: suas famílias não compareceram aos atendimentos, não responderam ao contato telefônico ou relataram ter abandonado os procedimentos. A desistência correspondeu a 19,6% da amostra e a idade do grupo dos desistentes era significativamente inferior, quando comparada à daqueles que aderiram ao tratamento. A já demonstrada associação entre a intolerância parental e a idade do filho explica os resultados e aponta para a necessidade de trabalho educativo intenso com os pais de adolescentes portadores de enurese.

Although there are several studies about adherence prevalence and predictors, few of them demonstrate efficient strategies to deal with this issue. A literature review found that about half of the patients that initiate psychotherapy do not conclude the process. Therefore, the measure of adherence is usually non-adherence, assessed by treatment dropout. In this paper, we present data related to dropout of alarm treatment for nocturnal enuresis. Sixty-one children and adolescents that initiated alarm treatment were included. Families missing appointments, not replying to phone calls or stating that treatment procedures were abandoned characterized dropout. Twelve families dropped out from treatment, corresponding to 19.6% of the sample. Only age was significantly related to dropout: younger children were more likely to abandon treatment. The already known relation between age and parents’s intolerance explains the results and determinates the necessity of an intense informative work with parents of enuretic children.

Il existe plusieurs études sur l’adhésion avec une ênfase dans la prévalence et les facteurs prédictifs de non-adhésion, mais peu de ces montre des stratégies efficaces pour faire face à ce problème. Une revue de la littérature sur l'abandon dans la psychothérapie a montré que près de la moitié des patients admis dans un soin de ne pas conclure. La mesure de la psychothérapie en général cést la non adhésion, représenté par l'abandon ou la cessation du traitement. Le document présente des données sur le traitement d'énurésie nocturne avec l’alarm de urine. Nous avons mené une enquête sur les niveaux de retrait d'un groupe de 61 enfants et adolescents. Lorsque les familles n'ont pas assisté aux séances, ne répondent pas au téléphone ou auraient abandonné les procédures ont été considérés comme des décrocheurs. Le retrait est intervenu dans 12 des 61 cas, représentant 19,6% de l'échantillon. Considérant l'âge moyen des participantesverifica que ceux qui ont abandonné le traitement étaient significativement plus jeunes. L'association précédemment établie entre l'intolérance des parents et l'âge de l'enfant explique les résultats et les points à la nécessité d'un travail pédagogique intensif avec les parents d'adolescents atteints d'énurésie.

Hay diversos estudios sobre la prevalencia y predictores de la no adhesión, pero pocos muestran estrategias efectivas para hacer frente a este problema. Una revisión de la literatura sobre la deserción en la psicoterapia mostró que casi la mitad de los pacientes que ingresan en la atención no la concluyen. La medida en la psicoterapia en general es la de no adhesión, representada por el abandono o deserción del tratamiento. En este trabajo serán presentados datos relativos a la deserción al tratamiento de la enuresis través de la alarma de orina. Fue realizada una investigación sobre los niveles de la deserción de un grupo de 61 niños y adolescentes. Cuando las familias no comparecerán a las sesiones, no contestarán al telefono, o relatabán tener abandonado los procedimientos, fueron considerados desertores. La deserción ocurrió en 12 de 61 casos, lo que representa 19,6% de la muestra. La asociación ya establecida entre la intolerancia de los padres y la edad del niño explica los resultados y señala la necesidad de una intensa labor educativa con los padres de los adolescentes con enuresis.

Behavioral alarm treatment for nocturnal enuresis

PURPOSES: To investigate the efficacy of alarm treatment in a sample of Brazilian children and adolescents with nocturnal enuresis and relate treatment success to age and type of clinical support. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During 32 weeks, 84 children and adolescents received alarm treatment together with weekly psychological support sessions for individual families or groups of 5 to 10 families. RESULTS: 71 percent of the participants achieved success, defined as 14 consecutive dry nights. The result was similar for children and adolescents and for individual or group support. The time until success was shorter for participants missing fewer support sessions. CONCLUSIONS: Alarm treatment was effective for the present sample, regardless of age or type of support. Missing a higher number of support sessions, which may reflect low motivation for treatment, increased the risk of failure.

Avaliação da violência intradomiciliar na criança e no adolescente enuréticos / Assessment of domestic violence against children and adolescents with enuresis

OBJETIVO: Descrever a frequência da violência doméstica praticada contra crianças e adolescentes brasileiros devido ao episódio enurético e os fatores de risco associados a ela. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo transversal envolvendo 149 pacientes com idades de entre 6 e 18 anos, diagnosticados com enurese noturna monossintomática primária. Durante uma entrevista semiestruturada com o paciente e seu responsável legal, foram obtidas informações sobre as características da violência doméstica e o agressor, sendo adicionada uma atividade lúdica para o paciente. A agressão foi classificada em verbal, física sem contato, ou física com contato. RESULTADOS: Dos pacientes entrevistados, 89 por cento (n = 132) sofreram algum tipo de agressão devido ao episódio enurético. Todos os casos apresentaram punição verbal associada ou não a outro tipo de agressão. Punição física sem contato ocorreu em 50,8 por cento dos casos, e com contato, em 48,5 por cento. O principal agressor foi a mãe (87,9 por cento). Em um caso, houve lesão genital grave que necessitou de cirurgia reconstrutora. Houve uma correlação significativa (p = 0,043, r = -0,768) entre os anos de estudo dos responsáveis e a gravidade da punição. CONCLUSÕES: Os índices de punição em pacientes com enurese noturna monossintomática primária são alarmantes. Crianças e adolescentes enuréticos que convivem no âmbito doméstico com pessoas com poucos anos de estudo podem ser considerados população de risco em relação à violência doméstica.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency of domestic violence against Brazilian children and adolescents due to episodes of enuresis, as well as associated risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 149 patients aged between 6 and 18 years who received the diagnosis of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. A semi-structured interview was done with the patients and their guardians to collect information about the characteristics of domestic violence and abusers. In addition, a playful activity was performed by the patients. Abuse was characterized as verbal aggression, physical aggression without physical contact, and physical aggression with physical contact. RESULTS: Eighty-nine percent (n = 132) of the patients suffered abuse due to episodes of urine leakage. All cases were characterized by verbal punishment associated or not with other types of aggression. Physical punishment without physical contact occurred in 50.8 percent of the cases, while physical punishment with physical contact accounted for 48.5 percent of the cases. The main abuser was the mother (87.9 percent). One patient suffered an intentional severe genital injury, and reconstructive surgery was necessary. There was a significant correlation (p = 0.043, r = -0.768) between the abuser's educational level and punishment severity. CONCLUSIONS: Punishment rates due to episodes of urine leakage are alarming. Children and adolescents with enuresis who live with low-educated people can be considered a population at risk of suffering domestic violence.

Changes in parents' and self-reports of behavioral problems in Brazilian adolescents after behavioral treatment with urine alarm for nocturnal enuresis

PURPOSE: Compare parents' reports of youth problems (PRYP) with adolescent problems self-reports (APSR) pre/post behavioral treatment of nocturnal enuresis (NE) based on the use of a urine alarm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adolescents (N = 19) with mono-symptomatic (primary or secondary) nocturnal enuresis group treatment for 40 weeks. Discharge criterion was established as 8 weeks with consecutive dry nights. PRYP and APSR were scored by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Youth Self-Report (YSR). RESULTS: Pre-treatment data: 1) Higher number of clinical cases based on parent report than on self-report for Internalizing Problems (IP) (13/19 vs. 4/19), Externalizing Problems (EP) (7/19 vs. 5/19) and Total Problem (TP) (11/19 vs. 5/19); 2) Mean PRYP scores for IP (60.8) and TP (61) were within the deviant range (T score ≥ 60); while mean PRYP scores for EP (57.4) and mean APSR scores (IP = 52.4, EP = 49.5, TP = 52.4) were within the normal range. Difference between PRYP' and APSR' scores was significant. Post treatment data: 1) Discharge for majority of the participants (16/19); 2) Reduction in the number of clinical cases on parental evaluation: 9/19 adolescents remained within clinical range for IP, 2/19 for EP, and 7/19 for TP. 3) All post-treatment mean scores were within the normal range; the difference between pre and post evaluation scores was significant for PRYP. CONCLUSIONS: The behavioral treatment based on the use of urine alarm is effective for adolescents with mono-symptomatic (primary and secondary) nocturnal enuresis. The study favors the hypothesis that enuresis is a cause, not a consequence, of other behavioral problems.