Enuresis and attention deficit disorder: a possible comorbidity in children

ABSTRACT

Evidences of a possible relationship between enuresis and Attention Deficit Disorder [ADD] were examined in this work, for probable clinical directions and appropriate focus of treatment. With adoption of DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria, supplemented by suitable psychometric assessments, a degree of overlap could be identified between the two disorders in 2 [5.9%] of 34 enuretic subjects studied, whose ages were 9.3 +/- 6.6 years old. They had primary type of enuresis, of day and night frequencies, hyperactivity with moderate degree of ADD, as well as dull-average and borderline intellect. On the other side, only in one girl [14.3%] out of 7 children with ADD that enuresis was detected. The study suggested existence of a substantial, though statistically insignificant, overlap in occurrence of both disorders. Its evidence is wholly consistent with the view that maturational and/or arousal deficit might stand in etiological background of both disorders. Study findings favoured more work on the relationship between enuresis, ADD and other psychiatric morbidities in children, particularly to investigate the potentials of new prospects in pharmacological and behavioural treatment of enuresis