Role of dysautonomic symptoms in distinguishing Parkinson's disease (PD) from multiple system atrophy (MSA-P) within a year of developing motor symptoms.

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.