Cluster analysis and its significance of clinical phenotypes in 43 patients with multiple system atrophy
LI Xiaobing
LIN Xiaodong
BAI Jing
MU Yaqian
ZHANG Yun
BAI Ya
Abstract：Objective This study aims to explore the clinical subtypes and natural course of multiple system atrophy(MSA)using a data-driven approach in order to provide assistance in the diagnosis and treatment of MSA.Methods This study included 43 MSA patients visiting Xijing Hospital from January 2017 to December 2022 and collected their demographic characteristics,age of onset,clinical symptoms,scores from rating scales,and results from auxiliary examinations.This study used K-means clustering with five variables(age of onset,time from onset to assisted walking,UMSARSⅠ+Ⅱscore,number of positive UMSARS Ⅲ signs,and UMSARS Ⅳ score)for subtyping.Results The clustering analysis was more clinically meaningful when performed with 3 clusters.Based on the characteristics of each cluster,the study named them as follows:malignant progression type(early onset in middle-aged or elderly patients,rapid progression,high severity of disease,motor symptom severity,and disability level),autonomically dominant type(early onset in middle-aged or elderly patients,moderate progression rate,prominent autonomic symptoms),and early-onset type(early onset in young or middle-aged adults,slow progression,mild symptoms,and low disability level).Conclusions This study classifies MSA patients into three subtypes based on age of onset,disease progression speed,and severity of symptoms.This study also analyzes the characteristics of each subtype,providing a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of MSA.
Keywords：Multiple system atrophyCluster analysisClassification
Publication Date：2025-06-28
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：7( 31-37 )