Comparison of health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis under therapy versus allergic bronchial asthma, diabetes mellitus type I, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis - a KINDL-R-based study.

BACKGROUND

Monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) affects 10-15% of children at school age. Influences on psychological well-being and self-confidence were repeatedly described, but effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) have been rarely reported. The aim of this study is to examine the HRQoL under therapy by using KINDL-R and to compare it with three recognized chronic diseases.

METHODS

Questionnaires were sent to all patients with MNE of the special outpatient clinic for enuresis (age 7-17 years; groups: I: 7-13, II: 14-17 years; at least 3 months of therapy, no achieved dryness). Simultaneously, patients from special outpatient clinics for allergic bronchial asthma (ABA), diabetes mellitus type I (DMI), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) were asked to take part in the study.

RESULTS

Included patients: 47 MNE (I:41/II:6)/59 ABA (I:34/II:25)/57 DMI (I:31/II:26)/37 JIA (I:18/II:19). Patient reports showed no significant differences between the cohorts in both age groups examined with regard to the total score and six individual dimensions. In the additional "chronic-generic" module, patients with MNE in the age of 7-13 years showed significantly lower values than all other study cohorts (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients under therapy for MNE without achieving dryness showed no significant differences in overall HRQoL or individual dimensions compared to the reference groups, but a significantly lower HRQoL in the chronic-generic module in children and parents (group 7-13 years) and in adolescents (14-17 years of age). This result is consistent with reported limitations in self-esteem and HRQoL before therapy and supports the need and importance of adequate therapy for MNE.