Effect of traditional Chinese and Western medicine on nocturnal enuresis in children and indicators of treatment success: Randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is a common pediatric developmental disorder. Desmopressin is frequently used for NE and is an evidence-based therapy. Suoquan capsule is a Chinese medicine commonly used for treating NE in children but is poorly understood by most scholars.

METHODS: A total of 369 children with NE were randomized to receive either suoquan, desmopressin plus suoquan, desmopressin, or behavioral intervention for 2 months, and the response rates evaluated. Subsequently, the viable demographic factors that could lead to success were investigated on logistic regression analysis. Moreover, after 3 months of follow up, the relapse rate was investigated.

RESULTS: The complete response (CR) rate in the desmopressin plus suoquan group (37.5%) was higher than that in the behavioral intervention group (6.3%, P < 0.007). The desmopressin group had a lower CR rate (22.5%) and a higher non-response rate (25.0%) than the desmopressin plus suoquan group (non-response rate, 21.9%; P > 0.007). The relapse rate in the desmopressin group was significantly higher than that in the desmopressin plus suoquan group (72.2% vs. 30.6%, P < 0.007). On Multivariate analysis, treatment group, NE frequency, and age were independent predictors of CR at 2 months (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Combined traditional Chinese and Western treatment in children with NE is effective and has a low relapse rate. NE frequency, treatment method, and age are important predictive factors for CR after treatment.