The Epidemiology of Childhood Enuresis in Seoul and Kyunggi Province

Kim, Wal Bum; Kim, Kyung Do

Abstract

PURPOSE: To establish the prevalence of childhood enuresis in Korea, an epidemiological study was performed. We also evaluated factors closely related to enuresis and investigated methods of managing enuresis in family.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A self-administered 23 questionnaires was completed voluntarily by the parents of 2,575 children aged 5 to 13 years living in Seoul and Kyunggi Province.
RESULTS
From a response rate of 66%, the overall prevalence of enuresis was 8.74%(20.8% in pre-school children, 6.2% in elementary school children). The prevalence of enuresis was higher in boys(60.9%) than in girls(39.1%). The factors closely related to enuresis were deep sleeping, inability to wake-up for voiding, early steeping, family history of enuresis and daytime incontinence. The prevalence of primary and secondary enuresis was 78% and 22%, respectively. When analyzed by a 10-point visual analogue scale to measure parental concern about enuresis of their kids, the mean concern score was 5.37. There was a significant relationship between the frequency of enuretic episode and parental concern score(p < 0.05). Of the enuretic children, 27.6% had consulted with a health worker and the most favored method of treatment was herb medicine.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that prevalence rates of childhood enuresis in Seoul and Kyunggi province are similar to those of previous studies of other countries. The sleep pattern, daytime incontinence and family history are closely related to development of enuresis.