Fatigue in the Preataxic and Ataxic Stages of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Fatigue is a significant symptom in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3). This study explores the role of fatigue in SCA3, examining its impact on quality of life and its potential as an indicator of disease progression.

Methods

We prospectively recruited 128 molecularly confirmed SCA3 patients and 125 sex-, age-, and education-matched healthy controls (HCs). Age at onset, disease duration, length of normal and expanded CAG repeats, and 14-item Fatigue Scale score were compared. MRIs evaluated the cerebellum and brain lesions.

Results

Our study found that the preataxic SCA3 group exhibited lower fatigue incidence and score than HCs (Incidence: 13% vs. 36%, p = 0.031; FS-14 score: 3.0 ± 2.7 vs. 5.6 ± 2.8, p < 0.001). Ataxic SCA3 patients experie

SUBMITTER: Chen ZL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11966824 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature