Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare, progressive neurological disorder that causes muscle stiffness and painful muscle spasms. The stiffness primarily affects the truncal muscles and is superimposed by spasms that can be triggered by a variety of different events or circumstances. SPS occurs in about one in a million people and is most commonly found in middle-aged people. It affects twice as many females as males and is frequently associated with other autoimmune diseases such as type-I diabetes, thyroiditis, vitiligo, and pernicious anemia. Scientists dont yet understand what causes SPS, but research indicates that it is the result of an autoimmune response gone awry in the brain and spinal cord.
Diagnosing SPS can be difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed as Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, psychosomatic illness, or anxiety and phobia. A definitive diagnosis can be made with a blood test that measures the level of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies. With appropriate treatment, SPS symptoms may be kept under control. Several symptoms improve with oral diazepam (an anti-anxiety and antispasmodic medication) . It’s common for people with SPS to experience anxiety or depression related to the condition, and mental health support is important.
