251. Orthostatic hypotension is differentially associated with the cerebellar versus the parkinsonian variant of multiple system atrophy: a comparative study.
- Author
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Wenning GK, Granata R, Krismer F, Dürr S, Seppi K, Poewe W, Bleasdale-Barr K, and Mathias CJ
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Cerebellar Diseases complications, Cerebellar Diseases etiology, Diagnosis, Differential, Female, Genetic Variation, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Multiple System Atrophy classification, Multiple System Atrophy complications, Parkinson Disease complications, Parkinsonian Disorders complications, Parkinsonian Disorders etiology, Retrospective Studies, Shy-Drager Syndrome etiology, Cerebellar Diseases diagnosis, Multiple System Atrophy diagnosis, Parkinson Disease diagnosis, Parkinsonian Disorders diagnosis, Shy-Drager Syndrome diagnosis
- Abstract
Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a cardinal feature of autonomic failure in multiple system atrophy (MSA); however, there are few comparative data on OH in the motor subtypes of MSA. In the present retrospective study, postural blood pressure drop after 3 min of standing was determined in 16 patients with the cerebellar variant of MSA (MSA-C) and in 17 patients with the Parkinson variant (MSA-P). Twenty idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) patients matched for age, sex, disease duration and dopaminergic therapy served as control group. OH frequency and severity were more pronounced in MSA-C followed by MSA-P and IPD. Differences in brainstem pathology are likely to account for the tight association of MSA-C and OH. A simple standing test should be obligatory in the work-up of patients with sporadic late-onset ataxias.
- Published
- 2012
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