what is stiff person syndrome

Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by progressive muscular rigidity and stiffness. The stiffness primarily affects the truncal muscles and is superimposed by spasms, resulting in postural deformities. Chronic pain, impaired mobility, and lumbar hyperlordosis are common symptoms. The severity of symptoms varies from person to person, and over time, people with SPS may develop hunched over postures. Some people may be too disabled to walk or move, and many fall frequently because they do not have the normal reflexes to catch themselves. SPS 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. The cause of SPS is still unknown, but researchers suspect that it may be the result of an autoimmune reaction where the body attacks nerve cells in the central nervous system that control muscle movement. There is no cure for SPS, but medications and other therapies can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life, and some treatments may help prevent disease progression.