Onset of bladder and motor symptoms in multiple system atrophy: differences according to phenotype.

Abstract

To compare the order of presentation of bladder and motor symptoms between multiple system atrophy phenotypes. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed in 144 patients. Bladder symptoms occurred either before or within 12months after onset of motor symptoms in significantly more patients with the cerebellar phenotype than the parkinsonian phenotype (80 vs. 53%, p=0.003); similar results were observed for urinary incontinence (79 vs. 45%, p=0.001). Urinary dysfunction is more likely to appear either before or shortly after motor symptoms in the cerebellar phenotype than in the parkinsonian phenotype.