The severity of motor dysfunction and lower urinary tract dysfunction is not correlated in multiple system atrophy

Abstract

Multiple system atrophy is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized clinically by the combination of autonomic, cerebellar and extrapyramidal dysfunctions. The presence of autonomic dysfunctions is mandatory for the diagnosis of multiple system atrophy. However, it is usually difficult to make a diagnosis of multiple system atrophy in the early stage because some patients show moderate motor dysfunctions with slight autonomic dysfunctions, whereas other patients show moderate autonomic dysfunctions with slight motor dysfunctions. Recent studies including our reports suggested that motor dysfunctions and lower urinary dysfunctions (the most prevalent autonomic dysfunctions) are not necessarily correlated. We aimed to discuss the relationships between the severities of motor dysfunctions and lower urinary tract dysfunctions in multiple system atrophy in this mini-review.