Abstract
Frequency and type of incontinence and its association with other variables were assessed in females with Rett Syndrome (RS)
(n = 63), using an adapted Dutch version of the ‘Parental Questionnaire: Enuresis/Urinary Incontinence’ (Beetz et al. 1994). Also, incontinence in RS was compared to a control group consisting of females with non-specific (mixed) intellectual disability
(n = 26). Urinary incontinence (UI) (i.e., daytime incontinence and nocturnal enuresis) and faecal incontinence (FI) were found
to be common problems among females with RS that occur in a high frequency of days/nights. UI and FI were mostly primary in
nature and occur independent of participants’ age and level of adaptive functioning. Solid stool, lower urinary tract symptoms
and urinary tract infections (UTI’s) were also common problems in females with RS. No differences in incontinence between
RS and the control group were found, except for solid stool that was more common in RS than in the control group. It is concluded
that incontinence is not part of the behavioural phenotype of RS, but that there is an increased risk for solid stool in females
with RS.
(n = 63), using an adapted Dutch version of the ‘Parental Questionnaire: Enuresis/Urinary Incontinence’ (Beetz et al. 1994). Also, incontinence in RS was compared to a control group consisting of females with non-specific (mixed) intellectual disability
(n = 26). Urinary incontinence (UI) (i.e., daytime incontinence and nocturnal enuresis) and faecal incontinence (FI) were found
to be common problems among females with RS that occur in a high frequency of days/nights. UI and FI were mostly primary in
nature and occur independent of participants’ age and level of adaptive functioning. Solid stool, lower urinary tract symptoms
and urinary tract infections (UTI’s) were also common problems in females with RS. No differences in incontinence between
RS and the control group were found, except for solid stool that was more common in RS than in the control group. It is concluded
that incontinence is not part of the behavioural phenotype of RS, but that there is an increased risk for solid stool in females
with RS.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s10882-012-9271-7
- Authors
- Sanne Giesbers, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, PO Box 9104, Nijmegen, 6500 HE The Netherlands
- Robert Didden, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, PO Box 9104, Nijmegen, 6500 HE The Netherlands
- Maartje Radstaake, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, PO Box 9104, Nijmegen, 6500 HE The Netherlands
- Hubert Korzilius, Institute for Management Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Alexander von Gontard, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany
- Russell Lang, Clinic for Autism Research Evaluation and Support, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
- Eric Smeets, Department of Clinical Genetics, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Leopold M. G. Curfs, Department of Clinical Genetics, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Journal Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities
- Online ISSN 1573-3580
- Print ISSN 1056-263X