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Survival in multiple system atrophy

Anette Schrag1, Gregor K Wenning, Niall Quinn

  • 1Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Free & University College Medical School, London, United Kingdom.

Movement Disorders : Official Journal of the Movement Disorder Society
|November 30, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients have a poor prognosis, with a median survival of under 9 years. No factors predict better survival, except for potential misdiagnosis as Parkinson

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases
  • Clinical Research

Background:

  • Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare, fatal neurodegenerative disorder.
  • Understanding the prognosis and survival rates in MSA is crucial for patient care and research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the survival duration in a large cohort of prospectively studied patients with MSA.
  • To identify potential predictive factors for survival in MSA patients.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 100 patients diagnosed with MSA.
  • Survival data collection and analysis.
  • Autopsy confirmation of diagnosis in a subset of patients.

Main Results:

  • Median survival was 8.6 years for men and 7.3 years for women.
  • 85% of patients died during the study period.
  • Autopsies confirmed MSA in 22 out of 24 patients; 2 were re-diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Conclusions:

  • MSA is associated with a median survival of less than 9 years, confirming a poor prognosis.
  • No significant predictive factors for improved survival were identified, apart from potential initial misdiagnosis.

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