2011/09/14 by Shahrzad Hadavi, Alastair J. Noyce, R. D. G. Leslie +1 · 148 citations
Medicine · Psychology · #Autoimmune Neurological Disorders and Treatments #Neurological and metabolic disorders #Neurological disorders and treatments #Comorbidity #Neurology #Anxiety #Electromyography #Stiff person syndrome #Medicine #Physical medicine and rehabilitation #Psychology #Quality of life (healthcare) #Psychiatry #Physical therapy #Psychotherapist
paper · doi:10.1136/practneurol-2011-000071
published in Practical Neurology 11(5), 272-282 (BMJ)
openalex publication_date 2011/09/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare disorder, characterised by fluctuating rigidity and stiffness of the axial and proximal lower limb muscles, with superimposed painful spasms and continuous motor unit activity on electromyography. Although rare in general neurology practice, once observed it is unforgettable. The general neurologist may see only one or two cases during his or her career and as such it remains underdiagnosed. Left untreated, SPS symptoms can progress to cause significant disability. Patients have a poor quality of life and an excess rate of comorbidity and mortality. The severity of symptoms and lack of public awareness of the condition create anxiety and uncertainty for people with the disease. This review aims to raise awareness of SPS and to improve the likelihood of its earlier diagnosis and treatment.