Impaired detrusor contractility is the pathognomonic urodynamic finding of multiple system atrophy compared to idiopathic Parkinson's disease

Introduction: To investigate differences in urodynamic parameters between two groups: Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in patients with PD and MSA who presented to three referral centers between 2005 and 2012. Patients referred to the urology department for lower urinary tract symptoms underwent urodynamic studies. Patients with other rare or ambiguous subtypes of PPS, urinary tract infection, urinary stones, or other neurogenic conditions were excluded from the analysis. Results: A total of 581 consecutive patients (359 men and 222 women) were analyzed. The mean patient age was 69.2 (SD, 9.3) years. Among these patients, 390 (64.3%) had PD, and 191 (31.5%) had MSA. Patients with MSA showed a statistically significantly decreased maximal flow rate and increased post-void residual urine volume compared with patients with PD (P range