Aim
To describe the prevalence and consultation characteristics of enuresis in Australian paediatric practice and assess for changes over a period of 5 years.
Methods
Data collected prospectively by paediatricians (outpatient settings) in 2008 and 2013, as part of the Children Attending Paediatricians Study. Consultations on children aged 5 years or over were included. Consultations in each cohort (2008 and 2013) categorised as either listing or not listing enuresis. Characteristics of the ‘enuresis’ versus ‘non‐enuresis’ subgroup in each cohort were compared as were the enuresis subgroups 2008 versus 2013.
Results
Of 4175 and 4181 consultations in 2008 and 2013, enuresis was reported in 178 (4.3% – 2008) and 193 (4.6% – 2013). Constipation and encopresis were more prevalent in the enuresis versus non‐enuresis subgroups (46 (25.8%) vs. 136 (3.4%) for constipation and 25 (14%) vs. 65 (1.6%) for encopresis in 2008; 52 (26.9%) vs. 160 (4%) for constipation and 25 (13%) vs. 78 (2%) for encopresis in 2013, both P < 0.001). The enuresis subgroup had more referrals to multidisciplinary teams (19 (10.7%) vs. 148 (3.7%) – 2008 and 21 (10.9%) vs. 163 (4.1%) – 2013, both P < 0.001) and allied health professionals (29 (16.3%) vs. 230 (5.8%) – 2008; 27 (14%) vs. 178 (4.5%) – 2013, both P < 0.001).
Conclusion
The overall frequency of presentation of children for management of enuresis was low. Prevalence/Consultation characteristics of enuresis were comparable over 5 years. Constipation and encopresis were significantly more prevalent in the enuresis subgroups.