Objectives: To (1) identify abnormalities in arginine vasopressin (AVP, a water-conserving hormone) secretion and release in nursing home (NH) residents with nighttime urinary incontinence (UI); and (2) perform a pilot test of desmopressin acetate (ddAVP, a synthetic analog of the naturally occurring hormone) replacement in these residents.
Design: Diagnostic evaluation and open-label treatment trial.
Setting: Two community nursing homes in a metropolitan area.
Participants: Male and female NH residents 65 years of age and older with nighttime UI.
Intervention: Characterizations of AVP status followed by a 7-day open-label trial of oral ddAVP (either 0.1 mg or 0.2 mg).
Measurements: Water deprivation test results, AVP levels, voided volumes, number of voids, incontinent episodes, number of nighttime checks found wet (out of 6 total checks per night).
Results: All participants had measurable AVP levels of 2.0 pg/mL or higher. Six of 10 individuals had an abnormal water deprivation test. Two of 4 participants on 0.2 mg of ddAVP and 2 of 6 participants on 0.1 mg had a 200 mL or more mean reduction in nighttime urine volume. Both ddAVP dosages yielded a mean reduction of 0.7 fewer nighttime wet checks found wet. One participant in each group developed hyponatremia (1 of 6 on 0.1 mg and 1 of 4 on 0.2 mg). Hyponatremia resolved with discontinuation of the drug.
Conclusion: Both 0.1 mg and 0.2 mg of ddAVP given to carefully screened NH residents for 7 days produced a modest average reduction in nighttime urine volume and number of nighttime incontinent episodes that is likely of little clinical importance. The role of ddAVP in this population requires further research.