Litvan et al identified factors associated with poor survival in a patient with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). These can help identify patients who may benefit from more aggressive management. The authors are from multiple institutions in the United States and Europe.
Risk factors for a shortened survival:
(1) onset of falls during the first year
(2) aspiration pneumonia, which was associated with early onset of difficulty swallowing and dysphagia
(3) early onset of incontinence
Avoiding aspiration pneumonia may improve survival. This may include:
(1) a change in diet
(2) a change in the consistency of the diet
(3) placement of a gastrostomy tube
The presence of tremor dominant disease may be associated with a longer survival.
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