Nocturnal Enuresis

BackgroundPrimary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) is a common disorder in school-aged children. Previous studies have suggested that a developmental delay might play a role in the pathology of children with PMNE. However, microstructural abnormalities in the brains of these children have not been thoroughly investigated.Methodology/principal findingsIn this work, we evaluated structural changes in the brains of children with PMNE using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Two groups consisting of 26 children with PMNE and 26 healthy controls were scanned using magnetic resonance DTI. The diffusion parameters of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were subjected to whole-brain, voxel-wise group comparisons using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). When compared to healthy subjects, children with PMNE showed both a decrease in FA and an increase in MD in the thalamus. MD also increased in the frontal lobe, the anterior cingulate cortex and the insula; these areas are all involved in controlling micturition. The significant changes seen in the thalamus could affect both urine storage and arousal from sleep.Conclusions/significanceThe microstructure abnormalities were observed in the thalamus, the medial frontal gyrus, the anterior cingulate cortex and the insula, which are involved in micturition control network. This indicates developmental delay in these areas may be the cause of PMNE.

To examine whether daytime wetting and bedwetting urinary incontinence (UI) in childhood and adolescence are associated with psychosocial problems in adolescence. We used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children to examine the association between trajectories of UI from 4 to 9 years and self-reported psychosocial problems in adolescence (13-14 years) including depressive symptoms, peer victimisation, poor self-image and school experiences (negative perception of school and teachers, problems with peer relationships). Sample sizes ranged from 5162 (perception of teachers) to 5887 (self-image). We also examined associations between self-reported UI at 14 years and psychosocial problems. Relative to normative development, adolescents who experienced delayed development of bladder control had poorer self-image [standardised mean difference = 0.18 (95% CI 0.04, 0.32)], more negative perceptions of school [0.18 (0.02, 0.34)] and more problems with peer relationships at school [0.25 (0.10, 0.40)]. Persistent wetting (bedwetting with daytime wetting) in childhood was associated with increased problems with peer relationships in adolescence [0.19 (0.03, 0.34)]. The strongest associations between adolescent UI and psychosocial problems were found for daytime wetting (reference = no UI at 14 years): depressive symptoms [OR = 3.04 (95% CI 1.91-4.84)], peer victimisation [2.14 (1.48-3.10)], poor self-image (t = -8.49, p < 0.001) and problems with peer relationships (t = -4.69, p < 0.001). Children with delayed development of bladder control and persistent wetting have increased psychosocial problems in adolescence. Adolescents with UI reported a range of psychosocial problems and clinicians should be aware that they might require support from psychological services.

BackgroundNocturnal enuresis (NE) has a negative impact on children's health and imposes a long-term burden on families. With economic development and cultural improvements, parents and medical professionals pay more attention to NE. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of NE among children ages 5-12 years in Xi'an, China.MethodsA stratified cluster sampling method was used to conduct a cross-sectional study of NE in 10 kindergartens and 20 primary schools in Xi'an. We used univariate analysis to compare the prevalences of characteristics such as gender, duration of disposable diaper (DD) use, toilet training onset time, daily living habits, academic performance, and family history of NE. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratio and to determine risk factors of NE.ResultsThe study included 6568 children ages 5-12 years, of which 262 (3.99%) had NE. The prevalence rates of NE decreased with age, with the highest prevalence at age 5 (9.09% for boys; 6.03% for girls). However, the prevalence increased with duration of DD use. Children experienced more NE if they never accepted toilet training (7.83%) or if they drank sugary beverages during the day (5.36%). Sleep disorders, sweets intake, drinking low amounts of plain water during the day, and family history of NE, were statistically associated with NE.ConclusionNE was closely associated with a family history of NE, being male, long-term use of DD, delayed toilet training, drinking sugary beverages and/or consuming little plain water, and sleep disorders. A supportive parental attitude towards NE and timely medical treatment can improve the quality of life of enuretic children.

PurpouseOne of the many artificial intelligence based tools that has gained popularity is the Chat-Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT). Due to its popularity, incorrect information provided by ChatGPT will have an impact on patient misinformation. Furthermore, it may cause misconduct as ChatGPT can mislead physicians on the decision-making pathway. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of ChatGPT answers regarding urological diagnoses.Materials and methodsChatGPT 3.5 version was used. The questions asked for the program involved Primary Megaureter (pMU), Enuresis and Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR). There were three queries for each topic. The queries were inserted twice, and both responses were recorded to examine the reproducibility of ChatGPT's answers. Afterwards, both answers were combined. Finally, those rwere evaluated qualitatively by a board of three specialists. A descriptive analysis was performed.Results and conclusionChatGPT simulated general knowledge on the researched topics. Regarding Enuresis, the provided definition was partially correct, as the generic response allowed for misinterpretation. For VUR, the response was considered appropriate. For pMU it was partially correct, lacking essential aspects of its definition such as the diameter of the dilatation of the ureter. Unnecessary exams were suggested, for Enuresis and pMU. Regarding the treatment of the conditions mentioned, it specified treatments for Enuresis that are ineffective, such as bladder training. Therefore, ChatGPT responses present a combination of accurate information, but also incomplete, ambiguous and, occasionally, misleading details.