Pathological laughter and crying in multiple system atrophy with different subtypes: Frequency and related factors

Abstract

Objective: The current study was aimed at examining the frequency of and potential factors related to pathological laughter and crying (PLC) in multiple system atrophy (MSA) as well as evaluating the impact of PLC on the survival of patients with early stage MSA.

Methods: A total of 465 MSA patients were enrolled in the study. The binary logistic regression model was used to explore the potential factors related to PLC. Altogether, 142 patients in their early stage (disease duration ≤3 years), who were followed up for at least two years, were included in the propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. A Cox regression model was used to analyze the impact of PLC on the survival of patients with early stage MSA.

Results: The frequency of PLC was 12.7%, 12.0%, and 13.2% in MSA, MSA-parkinsonian subtype (MSA-P), and MSA-cerebellar type (MSA-C), respectively. The binary logistic regression model indicated that younger age and higher total UMSARS scores were associated with PLC in MSA, MSA-P, and MSA-C patients. Additionally, for patients in the early stage, it was found that PLC was not a predictor for mortality in MSA, as indicated by the multivariate Cox regression model.

Conclusion: PLC was not uncommon in patients with MSA, MSA-P, and MSA-C. Younger age and greater disease severity were associated with PLC in MSA, MSA-P, and MSA-C patients. PLC was not a predictor of mortality in patients with MSA.

Keywords: Multiple system atrophy; Pathological laughter and crying; Propensity score matching.