External anal sphincter electromyography and related clinical aspects in patients with multiple system atrophy, Parkinson's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy

Abstract

Objectives To assess the value of external anal sphincter electromyography (EASEMG) in evaluating the related autonomic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease ( PD), parkinsonism dominant multiple system atrophy (MSA-P) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Methods From the records of EAS-EMG collected in our lab (total 562 cases), 60 PD (male 41, female 19), 68 MSA-P (male 35,female 33) and 13 PSP (male 10, female 3) were included in the analysis in this study. Mean duration,polyphasic ratio and satellite potential occurrence rate were comparable among the groups. Mean duration prolongation were graded as normal ( ＜ 10.0 ms), mild ( 10.0-11.9 ms), moderate ( 12.0-13.9 ms)and severe ( ≥ 14.0 ms). Results Among all related autonomic symptoms, the occurrence rate of constipation, urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency in patients with MSA-P(95.8% (23/24) ,94.6% (53/56) ,87.7% ( 50/57 ), 85.7% (42/49), 76.5% ( 39/51 ) ) were higher than that of PD ( 61.5%(16/26), 62.3% (33/53), 30.6% (15/49), 46.2% (24/52), 45.7% (21/46)) and PSP (75.0%(3/4) , 62.5% (5/8), 50.0% (4/8), 42.9% (3/7), 42.9% (3/7)). The abnormal rate of EAS-EMG in PD, MSA-P and PSP were 60.0%, 94.2% and 84.6%, accordingly. Mean duration ( PD ( 12.0 ± 1.6)ms, MSA-P (15.4±3.0) ms, PSP (13.8±1.8) ms), polyphasic ratio (PD 46.2% ±19.2%, MSA-P 63.9% ± 15.8%, PSP 51.5% ± 12.1% ) and satellite potential occurrence rate ( PD 9.5% ± 8.3%,MSA-P 26.5% ± 15.9%, PSP 19.2% ± 12.5% ) varied significantly different among the groups ( F =31.724, F = 17.412, x2 =45. 335, all P ＜0.01 ). Severe mean duration prolongation was overwhelming in MSA-P (66.2% ) , compared with mild 10.3% and moderate 23.5%. The predominant prolongation degree was moderate in PSP (61.5%, mild 7.7%, severe 30.8% ), and mild in PD (36.7%, moderate 36.7% ,severe 11.7%, normal 15.0% ). Conclusions EAS-EMG could play a role in evaluating the related autonomic dysfunctions in PD, MSA-P and PSP. The EAS-EMG impairment was severe and frequent in MSA-P, mild and infrequent in PD, moderate in PSP. The spectrum of mean duration prolongation suggested the possibility of Onuf's nucleus involvement in these diseases. Key words: Parkinson disease; Multiple system atrophy; Supranuelear palsy progressive; Anal canal; Electromyography; Autonomic nervous system