Treatment with Oral Desmopressin in Adolescents with Primary Nocturnal Enuresis

Twenty-four adolescents, mean age 13.5 years, with primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE), were studied to evaluate the efficacy of long-term oral desmopressin use. Reduction in mean number of wet nights per week was the criterion for response. Results showed that during 12-week treatment Period I, 48% were full responders (≤1 wet night/wk); 22% were intermediate responders (2 to 3 wet nights/wk); and 30% were nonresponders (>3 wet nights/wk). During 12-week treatment Period II, 53% were full responders, 23.5% were intermediate responders, and 23.5% were nonresponders. Despite a high relapse rate (50% after Period I, 56% after Period II), 17 patients (71%) were completely dry 2 years posttreatment, suggesting a possible curative effect of oral desmopressin. It was concluded that oral desmopressin is comparable to the intranasal formulation, with a good, long-term therapeutic effect in adolescents with PNE.