Stiff person syndrome is...

Stiff person syndrome is a rare autoimmune movement disorder. It affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. Individuals with this condition first experience stiffening of their trunk muscles, followed by the progress of stiffness and rigidity in the legs and other muscles in the body as time goes by.

Stiff person syndrome (also known as "Moersch-Woltman syndrome" and formerly "stiff man syndrome") may cause painful muscle spasms. The muscle spasms may occur randomly or be triggered by noise, emotional distress and physical touch.

Stiff person syndrome may eventually lead to an altered posture. On a severe level, it could limit the ability to walk or move. Some patients with this disorder need years of continual treatment to manage the symptoms and maintain quality of life.

Who might get stiff person syndrome?

Stiff person syndrome is sporadic. Only 1 out of every 1 million people has been diagnosed with this syndrome. Women are twice as much as men having stiff person syndrome. Symptoms may occur at any age but usually develop between 30 and 60.

Individuals with certain types of diseases are at higher risk, including:

• Autoimmune disorders include diabetes, thyroiditis, vitiligo and pernicious anaemia.
• Certain cancers include breast, lung, kidney, thyroid, colon and Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Common symptoms of stiff person syndrome

Symptoms of stiff person syndrome can develop for several months to a few years. Some patients remain stable for years, while others slowly worsen.

Common symptoms of  Stiff-person syndrome include:

• Stiffness and rigidity in trunk muscles, upper and lower limbs
• Difficult to turn and bend
• An atypical hunched posture
• Stiff gait and difficulty walking
• Painful muscle spasms
• Falls
• Exaggerated startle responses to stimuli such as noise or emotions

In most cases with stiff person syndrome, the trunk and abdomen muscles are the first to become stiff and enlarged. Common symptoms include pain, muscle stiffness and aching discomfort. Though the stiffness comes and goes in the early stage, the stiffness will remain constant eventually. Over time, leg muscles will become stiff with more rigid muscles throughout your body, including the arms and maybe the face. Some people may develop a hunched posture as stiffness increases. The stiffness may increase the difficulty of walking or moving in severe cases.

Diagnose the stiff person syndrome

Symptoms of stiff person syndrome are similar to other conditions such as tetanus, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy. Doctors may use several tests to diagnose stiff person syndrome, including:

• Blood test:Your blood is checked for antibodies to GAD or amphiphysin and for other signs that might indicate or rule out other diseases. About 60 to 80% of patients with stiff person syndrome have antibodies against GAD.
• Electromyography (EMG): A machine measures electrical activity in your muscles to look for continuous motor activity in the muscles.
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap):During a lumbar puncture, a doctor uses a needle to draw fluid from your spinal canal to check for the presence of antibodies to GAD and for other signs that might indicate or rule out other diseases.

Treatment options for stiff person syndrome

Currently, there is no cure for stiff person syndrome except medication. However, other therapies such as immunotherapies, physical therapy, occupational therapy and aqua therapy help relieve the symptoms.

Stiff person syndrome prevention

As there are no known causes of stiff person syndrome, there is no scientifically proven way to prevent it.

Talk with your doctor if you experience muscle spasms or continuous muscle stiffness in your trunk, arms or legs. Check with your doctor if you have any risk factors for stiff person syndrome, especially an autoimmune condition.