What is multiple system atrophy?

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a degenerative neurological disorder. MSA is associated with the degeneration of nerve cells in specific areas of the brain. This cell degeneration causes problems with movement, balance and autonomic functions of the body such as bladder control.

How do members experience multiple system atrophy?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with multiple system atrophy*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for multiple system atrophy*

*Data from patients with multiple system atrophy, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with multiple system atrophy*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Sinemet)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple system atrophy (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
multiple system atrophy (2)

*Data from patients with multiple system atrophy, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has multiple system atrophy on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 0
20s 4
30s 30
40s 37
50s 117
60s 289
70+ 421

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 396
Female 466

We’re all in this for good.

By sharing your stories and data, you will:
  • help each other live better and uncover the best ways to manage your health today
  • help researchers shorten the path to new treatments tomorrow

How much good can your data do? A whole lot, as co-founder Jamie Heywood explains in this video.

What is multiple system atrophy?

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a degenerative neurological disorder. MSA is associated with the degeneration of nerve cells in specific areas of the brain. This cell degeneration causes problems with movement, balance and autonomic functions of the body such as bladder control.



Common symptoms reported by people with multiple system atrophy

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it

Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.
Last updated:



Treatments taken by people for multiple system atrophy

Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Sinemet)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
322
Tried for
multiple system atrophy (2)

Data from patients with multiple system atrophy, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.
Last updated:


Compare treatments taken by people with multiple system atrophy

Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Sinemet)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple system atrophy (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
multiple system atrophy (2)
  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
  • Severe
  • Moderate
  • Mild
  • None

Data from patients with multiple system atrophy, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.
Last updated:



Who has multiple system atrophy on PatientsLikeMe?

  • 1 new patients joined this month
  • 1,030 say MSA is their primary condition

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 0
20s 4
30s 30
40s 37
50s 117
60s 289
70+ 421
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 8
20-29 years 12
30-39 years 31
40-49 years 89
50-59 years 158
60-69 years 79
70+ years 15

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 396
Female 466

Types
Condition Types Proportion # of patients
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) 345
Olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA/MSA-c) 117
Shy-Drager syndrome (MSA-a) 73
Striatonigral degeneration (MSA-p) 94
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 411
Not Diagnosed 58

These charts show data from MSA patients who have completed their condition history
Last updated: