The effect of screen time on the presentation and treatment of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate if there was any relationship between screen time (ST) and the severity of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) and treatment success. METHODS: This study was conducted in urology and child and adolescent phsychiatry clinic in Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University Hospital. After diagnosis patients were seperated by the ST for exploring causation. Group 1 > 120, Group 2 < 120 (min/day). For the the treatment response, patients were grouped again. Group 3 patients were administered 120 mcg Desmopressin Melt (DeM) and were requested < 60 min ST. Patients in Group 4 were given 120 mcg DeM solely. RESULTS: The first stage of the study included 71 patients. The ages of the patients ranged from 6 to 13. Group 1 comprised 47 patients, 26 males and 21 females. Group 2 comprised 24 patients,11 males and 13 famales. Median age was 7 years in both groups. The groups were similar in respect of age and gender (p = 0.670, p = 0.449, respectively). A significant relationship was determined between ST and PMNE severity. Severe symptoms were seen at the rate of 42.6% in the Group 1, and at 16.7% in the Group 2 (p = 0.033). 44 patients completed the second stage of the study. Group 3 comprised 21 patients, 11 males and 10 females. Group 4 comprised 23 patients,11 males and 12 famales. Median age was 7 years in both groups. The groups were similar in respect of age and gender (p = 0.708, p = 0.765, respectively). Response to treatment was determined as full response in 70% (14/20) in Group 3 and in 31% (5/16) in Group 4 (p = 0.021). Failure was determined in 5% (1/21) in Group 3 and in 30% (7/23) in Group 4 (p = 0.048). Recurrence was determined at a lower rate in Group 3 where ST was restricted (7% vs. 60%, p = 0.037). CONCLUSION: High screen exposure may be a factor for PMNE aetiology. And also reducing ST to a normal range can be an easy and beneficial method for treatment of PMNE. Trial Registration ISRCTN15760867(www.isrctn.com). Date of registration: 23/05/2022. This trial was registered retrospectively.