Hoffmann A, et al. – In this assessment, the specialists examined the potential predictors of outcome in children with overactive bladder (OAB) treated using parasacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). They concluded that nocturnal enuresis was the only symptom associated with a poor outcome following parasacral TENS treatment in children with OAB.

Methods

• This study included children with symptoms of isolated OAB and treated with parasacral TENS. 
• Isolated OAB was defined as the presence of urinary urgency with no signs of dysfunctional voiding.
• The symptoms were considered completely resolved when a patient’s parents/guardians or the patients themselves reported a 100% improvement.
• Parasacral TENS was performed thrice weekly for a total of 20 sessions of 20 minutes each at 10 Hz.
• Sex, age, daytime incontinence, nocturia, a prior history of urinary tract infection, the presence of nocturnal enuresis, constipation and holding maneuvers were the potential predictive factors.

Results

• This study enrolled 83 patients with a mean age of 7.8 ± 2.8 years.
• In 47 (56.6%) complete resolution of symptoms was achieved.
• Following parasacral TENS treatment, a significant response was reported in 96.4% of cases. 
• Out of the 55 patients with nocturnal enuresis, partial resolution was achieved in 30 cases (54.5%), with a statistically significant association between nocturnal enuresis and the patient’s response to treatment (p < 0.004; OR = 4.4, 95% CI 1.5–12.5).
• No other factor was associated with response to treatment.