Serum uric acid level is linked to the disease progression rate in male patients with multiple system atrophy

OBJECTIVES Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that may be caused in part by oxidative stress. Uric acid (UA) protects neurons in neurodegenerative disorders via antioxidative effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the serum UA concentration and disease progression in MSA patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 53 Japanese MSA patients were enrolled in this study. The disease progression rate was estimated by the rate of global disability scale change per year. The relationship between the serum UA concentration and disease progression was assessed by Spearman's correlation analysis. Disease progression depending on the UA concentration was also estimated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS MSA patients with the highest serum UA concentration had lower disease progression rates than those with the lowest concentration. Spearman's correlation analysis showed an inverse correlation between the serum UA concentration and disease progression in male patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that the UA concentration was independently related to disease progression only in male patients. CONCLUSION These results suggest that serum UA may be associated with disease progression in male patients with MSA.