Motor assessment of patients with multiple system atrophy: underuse of the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS)

Abstract

Purpose: Despite the availability of the Unified Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) Rating Scale (UMSARS) for almost two decades, studies still use scales developed for Parkinson's disease (PD) or ataxia (ATX). Our aim was to evaluate the use of UMSARS (part II, motor) compared to other motor rating scales in patients with MSA.

Methods: A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-compliant literature search was conducted concerning studies of patients with MSA, reporting motor assessment with clinical rating scales, and focusing on the frequency of UMSARS use.

Results: We included 261 articles, of which 42.9% did not use UMSARS, but rather scales for PD (59.8%), ATX (24.1%), or both (14.3%). Although UMSARS use increased with time, misuse of PD and ATX scales persists, with no evidence of a decremental trend.

Conclusions: Although higher in observational studies, the misuse of PD and ATX-related scales in MSA patients persists in prospective (planned) trials. Reasons for that must be addressed.