TABLE 2.

Main criteria influencing the timing of gastrostomy recommendation from the perspectives of clinicians working with patients with MSA and PSP/CBS

Gastrostomy should be offered to patients:	In MSA. Frequency from 41 respondents (%)	In PSP or CBS. Frequency from 38 respondents (%)
When recurrent chest infections have occurred	31 (76%)	28 (74%)
Weight loss of >10% from baseline over 6 months	26 (63%)	26 (68%)
When presenting with symptoms of persistent dysphagia	26 (63%)	25 (66%)
When aspiration identified eg, at video fluoroscopy	24 (59%)	24 (63%)
BMI <18.5 kg/m2	20 (49%)	20 (53%)
When experiencing more difficulty with meals	16 (39%)	15 (39%)
When presenting with symptoms of intermittent dysphagia	14 (34%)	11 (29%)
Clinical or biochemical evidence of dehydration	11 (27%)	8 (21%)
At or shortly after diagnosis	2 (5%)	3 (8%)
Any other criteria for offering gastrostomy?	1 (2%) Patient request	4 (11%) Patient request Taking too long to eat meals Distress from eating
Any situations where gastrostomy should be avoided?	8 (20%) Patient declined the procedure. Unlikely to improve quality of life. Disease is too severe. Major prior abdominal surgery.	13 (34%) Advanced cognitive decline or dementia. Disease is too severe. Patient declined the procedure. Unlikely to improve quality of life. Major prior abdominal surgery.

Abbreviations: CBS, corticobasal syndrome; MSA, multiple system atrophy; PSP, progressive supranuclear palsy.