Pre- and post-operative evaluation of the frequency of nocturnal enuresis and Modified Pediatric Epworth Scale in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea patients.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the beneficial effect of adenotonsillectomy (AT) on nocturnal enuresis (NE) in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy and evaluate the Modified Pediatric Epworth Scale (MPES).

METHODS

This was a prospective study comparing preoperative and postoperative evaluation of the frequency of NE and MPES in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A questionnaire on NE history was prepared based on the Turkish Enuresis Guidelines. NE histories were evaluated pre- and postoperatively on the first month and third month, respectively. MPES questions were asked to the parents of all the OSA patients pre- and postoperatively, and scores were noted.

RESULTS

Eighty-four (84) pediatric OSA patients were involved in the study. Preoperatively, 19 patients (27%) complained about nocturnal enuresis. After the surgery, 52% of the patients with NE had complete resolution of NE (p < 0.001). Postoperatively, the average Epworth scores of both groups significantly decreased (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

There is a strong correlation between OSA and NE. In the present study, enuresis in pediatric OSA patients significantly decreased after surgery. Also, Epworth scores decreased significantly after surgery. In children with nocturnal enuresis, the presence of OSA symptoms should be questioned.