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Updated: May 31, 2026

Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease
Published on: July 24, 2019
Role of dysautonomic symptoms in distinguishing Parkinson's disease (PD) from multiple system atrophy (MSA-P) within
Mona Ragothaman1, Pazhayannur V Swaminath, Nagaraja Sarangmath
1Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India.
Objective:
Can dysautonomic symptoms occurring within a year of developing motor symptoms distinguish Multiple system atrophy-Parkinsonian (MSA-P) from Parkinson's disease (PD)?
Patients And Methods:
Seventy-two Parkinsonian patients diagnosed as probable PD or MSA-P.
Results:
PD (n = 58, 80.6%) and MSA (n = 14, 19.4%) patients were of similar age and had motor symptoms for similar duration. PD first presents with motor symptoms (68.3%) while MSA-P presents with dysautonomia (85.7%). Urinary incontinence was reported by MSA-P (64%) at their first visit and was absent in most PD (98%) patients.
Conclusions:
Urinary incontinence and orthostatic symptoms occurring in a parkinsonian patient within one-year history of motor symptoms suggests a diagnosis of MSA-P with high accuracy and their absence suggests PD.
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