User login
Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune condition characterized by stiffness and rigidity in the lower limb muscles. Because SPS often is misdiagnosed as a psychiatric illness and psychiatric comorbidities are common in patients with this disorder,1 awareness and recognition of this unique condition is essential.
An insidious presentation
Patients with SPS present with:2
- axial muscle stiffness slowly progressing to proximal muscles
- unremarkable motor, sensory, and cranial nerve examinations with normal intellectual functioning
- normal muscle strength, although electromyography shows continuous motor activity
- spasms evoked by sudden movements, jarring noise, and emotional distress
- slow and cautious gait to avoid triggering spasms and falls.
Symptoms start slowly and insidiously. Axial muscle stiffness can result in spinal deformity. Involvement is asymmetrical, with a predilection for proximal lower limb and lumbar paraspinal muscles. Affected muscles reveal tight, hard, board-like rigidity. In later stages of SPS, mild atrophy and muscle weakness are likely.
Frequent misdiagnosis
Because facial muscle spasticity is prominent, SPS patients may be misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, primary lateral sclerosis, or multiple sclerosis. Spasms affecting respiratory and thoracic paraspinal muscles (status spasticus) may be misdiagnosed as an anxiety-related condition. These spasms can be life-threatening and require IV diazepam and supportive measures.
More than 60% of SPS patients have a comorbid psychiatric disorder.3 Anxiety disorders—generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, and panic disorder—major depression, and alcohol abuse are the most frequent psychiatric comorbidities seen in SPS patients.3
SPS patients who panic when in public may be misdiagnosed with agoraphobia.3 Emotional stimuli may cause muscle spasms leading to falls. Treating muscle spasticity with γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonists and narcotics can lead to drug abuse and dependence. Muscle spasticity can fluctuate from hour to hour, abate with sleep, and get worse with emotional distress. These findings are why approximately 70% of SPS patients are initially misdiagnosed; conversion disorder is a frequent misdiagnosis.4 Mood disorder in SPS patients may be resistant to antidepressants until these patients are treated with immunotherapy.4
Treating SPS patients
Although early intervention can reduce long-term disability, approximately 50% of SPS patients eventually have to use a wheelchair as a result of pain and immobility.5
Antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase, which is the rate-limiting enzyme for GABA synthesis, are present in 85% of SPS patients.5 Therefore, treatment usually includes GABA-enhancing drugs, including sedative anxiolytics (clonazepam and diazepam), antiepileptics (gabapentin, levetiracetam, tiagabine, and vigabatrin), antispasticity drugs (baclofen, dantrolene, and tizanidine), and immunotherapy (corticosteroids, IV immunoglobulins, and rituximab).5 Antidepressants, biofeedback, and relaxation training also can offer relief. Psychotherapy and substance dependency interventions may be needed.
To achieve optimum outcomes in SPS patients, a close collaborative relationship among all treating clinicians—including primary care physicians, neurologists, anesthesiologists, and psychiatrists—is necessary.
Disclosure
Dr. Jain reports no financial relationship with any company whose products are mentioned in this article or with manufacturers of competing products.
1. Tinsley JA, Barth EM, Black JL, et al. Psychiatric consultations in stiff-man syndrome. J Clin Psychiatry. 1997;58(10):444-449.
2. Egwuonwu S, Chedebeau F. Stiff-person syndrome: a case report and review of the literature. J Natl Med Assoc. 2010;102(12):1261-1263.
3. Black JL, Barth EM, Williams DE, et al. Stiff-man syndrome. Results of interviews and psychologic testing. Psychosomatics. 1998;39(1):38-44.
4. Culav-Sumić J, Bosnjak I, Pastar Z, et al. Anxious depression and the stiff-person plus syndrome. Cogn Behav Neurol. 2008;21(4):242-245.
5. Hadavi S, Noyce AJ, Leslie RD, et al. Stiff person syndrome. Pract Neurol. 2011;11(5):272-282.
Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune condition characterized by stiffness and rigidity in the lower limb muscles. Because SPS often is misdiagnosed as a psychiatric illness and psychiatric comorbidities are common in patients with this disorder,1 awareness and recognition of this unique condition is essential.
An insidious presentation
Patients with SPS present with:2
- axial muscle stiffness slowly progressing to proximal muscles
- unremarkable motor, sensory, and cranial nerve examinations with normal intellectual functioning
- normal muscle strength, although electromyography shows continuous motor activity
- spasms evoked by sudden movements, jarring noise, and emotional distress
- slow and cautious gait to avoid triggering spasms and falls.
Symptoms start slowly and insidiously. Axial muscle stiffness can result in spinal deformity. Involvement is asymmetrical, with a predilection for proximal lower limb and lumbar paraspinal muscles. Affected muscles reveal tight, hard, board-like rigidity. In later stages of SPS, mild atrophy and muscle weakness are likely.
Frequent misdiagnosis
Because facial muscle spasticity is prominent, SPS patients may be misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, primary lateral sclerosis, or multiple sclerosis. Spasms affecting respiratory and thoracic paraspinal muscles (status spasticus) may be misdiagnosed as an anxiety-related condition. These spasms can be life-threatening and require IV diazepam and supportive measures.
More than 60% of SPS patients have a comorbid psychiatric disorder.3 Anxiety disorders—generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, and panic disorder—major depression, and alcohol abuse are the most frequent psychiatric comorbidities seen in SPS patients.3
SPS patients who panic when in public may be misdiagnosed with agoraphobia.3 Emotional stimuli may cause muscle spasms leading to falls. Treating muscle spasticity with γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonists and narcotics can lead to drug abuse and dependence. Muscle spasticity can fluctuate from hour to hour, abate with sleep, and get worse with emotional distress. These findings are why approximately 70% of SPS patients are initially misdiagnosed; conversion disorder is a frequent misdiagnosis.4 Mood disorder in SPS patients may be resistant to antidepressants until these patients are treated with immunotherapy.4
Treating SPS patients
Although early intervention can reduce long-term disability, approximately 50% of SPS patients eventually have to use a wheelchair as a result of pain and immobility.5
Antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase, which is the rate-limiting enzyme for GABA synthesis, are present in 85% of SPS patients.5 Therefore, treatment usually includes GABA-enhancing drugs, including sedative anxiolytics (clonazepam and diazepam), antiepileptics (gabapentin, levetiracetam, tiagabine, and vigabatrin), antispasticity drugs (baclofen, dantrolene, and tizanidine), and immunotherapy (corticosteroids, IV immunoglobulins, and rituximab).5 Antidepressants, biofeedback, and relaxation training also can offer relief. Psychotherapy and substance dependency interventions may be needed.
To achieve optimum outcomes in SPS patients, a close collaborative relationship among all treating clinicians—including primary care physicians, neurologists, anesthesiologists, and psychiatrists—is necessary.
Disclosure
Dr. Jain reports no financial relationship with any company whose products are mentioned in this article or with manufacturers of competing products.
Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune condition characterized by stiffness and rigidity in the lower limb muscles. Because SPS often is misdiagnosed as a psychiatric illness and psychiatric comorbidities are common in patients with this disorder,1 awareness and recognition of this unique condition is essential.
An insidious presentation
Patients with SPS present with:2
- axial muscle stiffness slowly progressing to proximal muscles
- unremarkable motor, sensory, and cranial nerve examinations with normal intellectual functioning
- normal muscle strength, although electromyography shows continuous motor activity
- spasms evoked by sudden movements, jarring noise, and emotional distress
- slow and cautious gait to avoid triggering spasms and falls.
Symptoms start slowly and insidiously. Axial muscle stiffness can result in spinal deformity. Involvement is asymmetrical, with a predilection for proximal lower limb and lumbar paraspinal muscles. Affected muscles reveal tight, hard, board-like rigidity. In later stages of SPS, mild atrophy and muscle weakness are likely.
Frequent misdiagnosis
Because facial muscle spasticity is prominent, SPS patients may be misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, primary lateral sclerosis, or multiple sclerosis. Spasms affecting respiratory and thoracic paraspinal muscles (status spasticus) may be misdiagnosed as an anxiety-related condition. These spasms can be life-threatening and require IV diazepam and supportive measures.
More than 60% of SPS patients have a comorbid psychiatric disorder.3 Anxiety disorders—generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, and panic disorder—major depression, and alcohol abuse are the most frequent psychiatric comorbidities seen in SPS patients.3
SPS patients who panic when in public may be misdiagnosed with agoraphobia.3 Emotional stimuli may cause muscle spasms leading to falls. Treating muscle spasticity with γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonists and narcotics can lead to drug abuse and dependence. Muscle spasticity can fluctuate from hour to hour, abate with sleep, and get worse with emotional distress. These findings are why approximately 70% of SPS patients are initially misdiagnosed; conversion disorder is a frequent misdiagnosis.4 Mood disorder in SPS patients may be resistant to antidepressants until these patients are treated with immunotherapy.4
Treating SPS patients
Although early intervention can reduce long-term disability, approximately 50% of SPS patients eventually have to use a wheelchair as a result of pain and immobility.5
Antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase, which is the rate-limiting enzyme for GABA synthesis, are present in 85% of SPS patients.5 Therefore, treatment usually includes GABA-enhancing drugs, including sedative anxiolytics (clonazepam and diazepam), antiepileptics (gabapentin, levetiracetam, tiagabine, and vigabatrin), antispasticity drugs (baclofen, dantrolene, and tizanidine), and immunotherapy (corticosteroids, IV immunoglobulins, and rituximab).5 Antidepressants, biofeedback, and relaxation training also can offer relief. Psychotherapy and substance dependency interventions may be needed.
To achieve optimum outcomes in SPS patients, a close collaborative relationship among all treating clinicians—including primary care physicians, neurologists, anesthesiologists, and psychiatrists—is necessary.
Disclosure
Dr. Jain reports no financial relationship with any company whose products are mentioned in this article or with manufacturers of competing products.
1. Tinsley JA, Barth EM, Black JL, et al. Psychiatric consultations in stiff-man syndrome. J Clin Psychiatry. 1997;58(10):444-449.
2. Egwuonwu S, Chedebeau F. Stiff-person syndrome: a case report and review of the literature. J Natl Med Assoc. 2010;102(12):1261-1263.
3. Black JL, Barth EM, Williams DE, et al. Stiff-man syndrome. Results of interviews and psychologic testing. Psychosomatics. 1998;39(1):38-44.
4. Culav-Sumić J, Bosnjak I, Pastar Z, et al. Anxious depression and the stiff-person plus syndrome. Cogn Behav Neurol. 2008;21(4):242-245.
5. Hadavi S, Noyce AJ, Leslie RD, et al. Stiff person syndrome. Pract Neurol. 2011;11(5):272-282.
1. Tinsley JA, Barth EM, Black JL, et al. Psychiatric consultations in stiff-man syndrome. J Clin Psychiatry. 1997;58(10):444-449.
2. Egwuonwu S, Chedebeau F. Stiff-person syndrome: a case report and review of the literature. J Natl Med Assoc. 2010;102(12):1261-1263.
3. Black JL, Barth EM, Williams DE, et al. Stiff-man syndrome. Results of interviews and psychologic testing. Psychosomatics. 1998;39(1):38-44.
4. Culav-Sumić J, Bosnjak I, Pastar Z, et al. Anxious depression and the stiff-person plus syndrome. Cogn Behav Neurol. 2008;21(4):242-245.
5. Hadavi S, Noyce AJ, Leslie RD, et al. Stiff person syndrome. Pract Neurol. 2011;11(5):272-282.