Salivary samples were colleted to measure melatonin by radioimmunioassay using commercial kits. The Friedman two-way ANOVA and the Wilcoxon test were used to assess the circadian rhythm of melatonin. They also utilized a Mann-Whitney test to compare melatonin values and the groups.

Interestingly, the study found that both groups had statistically significant differences in melatonin concentration during the 24 hour period with a circadian rhythm. The highest values were always at approximately 4:00 in the morning. However, there were no significant differences overall in melatonin values between cases and controls patients. Nonetheless, patients with enuresis have lower peak values than controls at 4: 00 am and higher melatonin levels at midnight, but with no clinical significance between the two.

The group concluded that there was some evidence for minor disturbances in the circadian rhythm of melatonin in patients with enuresis. However, the rhythm overall was not grossly disrupted.

Ardura-Fernandez J, Andres DeLlano J, Garmendia-Leiza J, Agapito T.

British Journal of Urology International, 99(2): 413-415, February 2007.

UroToday.com Pediatric Urology Section

Written by Pasquale Casale, MD, a Contributing Editor with UroToday.

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