eMedicine Specialties > Neurology > Neuromuscular Diseases

Stiff Person Syndrome

Nancy Theresa Rodgers-Neame, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida; Director, Florida Comprehensive Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders Program

Updated: Aug 27, 2009

Introduction

Background

Stiff person syndrome is rather unique among neurologic diagnoses because of its lack of significant similarity to any other neurologic diseases. Although rare, once observed it is quite unforgettable. Possibly the closest related disease is tetanus because both conditions affect peripheral inhibition via central mechanisms and both conditions inhibit central gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) systems.

In 1956, Moersch and Woltmann, who also coined the term stiff man syndrome, first clearly described stiff person syndrome as a neurologic clinical entity at the Mayo Clinic.¹ The eponym for this syndrome, Moersch-Woltmann syndrome, is one of the few instances in which the eponym may be the most inclusive and at the same time the most appropriately limiting name for the disease.¹ The term stiff person may be seen to exclude infants, and stiff man is inappropriate for children and women; perhaps stiff individual most perfectly describes the affected patient.

Clinically, stiff person syndrome is characterized by muscle rigidity that waxes and wanes with concurrent spasms.^2,3 Usually, it begins in the axial muscles and extends to the proximal limb muscles, but the severity of the limb muscle involvement may overwhelm the axial muscle involvement (stiff limb syndrome).^4,5,6,7,8,3 Some confusion has occurred as a result of cases that include other neurologic findings, such as encephalomyelitis, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, or cerebellar deficits, sometimes in addition to the classic clinical syndrome.^{9,10,11,12,13,14,15}

The pathophysiology of the disease is autoimmune.^{16,17,18,19,20,8,2} The most common pathologic correlate, anti–glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies, has been associated with a wide range of neurologic diseases. It is also associated with a number of non-neurologic diseases, including diabetes mellitus and thyroiditis.²¹

Pathophysiology

Since that time, the antibody has been found in patients with a number of neurologic diseases, a scenario that is easier to understand because the pathophysiologic link to neurologic disease is easier to explain. The range of diseases encountered includes seizures, cerebellar dysfunction, cortical dysfunction, and myelopathy, but the association between function of the enzyme and the consequence of the disease is most clear in patients with stiff person syndrome.

In stiff person syndrome, spinal interneurons function to inhibit spontaneous discharges from spinal motor neurons, primarily through the action of glycine. However, this is only one inhibitory input for the motor pathway that includes GABA-mediated inhibition from the cortex, brain stem, and cerebellum. If GAD function is inhibited significantly, then GABA available for these functions is decreased and muscles become continuously stimulated by the motor neurons. Additional possible pathophysiologic etiologies in patients negative for GAD antibody include postsynaptic elements such as synaptophysin, amphiphysin,²² gephyrin,²³ and GABA-transaminase.

Glutamate is an excitatory amino acid synthesized from glucose via the Krebs cycle. It has several fates within the cell. Glutamate can be packaged for release from synaptic clefts, and it can be acted on by several transaminases to transform it to either glutamine or GABA. Following release from the synapse, glutamate is absorbed either by reuptake mechanisms by the neurons or, more commonly, by astrocytes. GAD is nearly ubiquitous in the CNS and is located in or near the synaptic button. It is rate limited primarily by the availability of free glutamate. However, GAD is not the only source of GABA. The Krebs cycle also serves to synthesize GABA via GABA-transaminase.

However, GAD antibodies alone appear to be insufficient to cause stiff person syndrome,² and GAD antibodies are associated with a broad spectrum of disease; consequently, GAD clearly forms only part of the pathophysiology of stiff person syndrome.²⁴ Possibly, postsynaptic GABA-ergic mechanisms, such as the synaptobrevins involved in tetanus, are involved. Research continues to progress on this interesting subject.^{4,16,20,25,6,26} Some patients clearly have GAD antibody-negative disease and may also be negative for anti-amphiphysin but otherwise fit the clinical picture.

Frequency

International

The frequency of stiff person syndrome worldwide and in the United States is unknown, but the syndrome is rare.

Mortality/Morbidity

Complications of this disease are multifaceted and may occur at any stage of the disease. In general, complications are responsible for the mortality and morbidity and are discussed in more detail in Complications.

Infants with stiff baby syndrome are at particularly high risk of sudden infant death and require monitoring.

• Complications of baclofen pump failure can occur. Cataclysmic exacerbations of the disease have been reported due to baclofen pump failure. At least one death has been reported. In addition, rare malfunctions of the baclofen pump have been associated with excessive release of baclofen intrathecally also resulting in death or permanent disability.
• Psychiatric morbidity from this disease is common. The unpredictability of symptoms and the linkage to stressful events only serve to exacerbate the situation. In addition, GABA mechanisms subserve many of the brain's emotional centers, which may contribute significantly to the psychiatric symptomatology.
• Musculoskeletal complications are common, particularly in later stages of the disease. Joint deformity, joint dislocation, joint contracture, skeletal fracture, and muscle rupture have been reported.

Race

No differentiation among races has been reported to date.

Sex

Frequency and severity are nearly equal in males and females, but some series indicate a greater frequency in females. In general, autoimmune diseases are more frequently seen in females.

Age

• The syndrome occurs in children younger than 3 years, most commonly in infants.
• Onset in adults is most frequent in the third to fifth decades of life.

Clinical

History

• Stiff person syndrome
  • Early stages
    • Stiff person syndrome usually begins insidiously in the axial muscles, and, if the patient is referred at an early stage, little objective findings may be found at the initial presentation.
    • In the initial stage of the disease, the patient has an exaggerated upright posture and may report back discomfort or stiffness or pain in the entire back, which is worse with tension or stress.
    • Patients may report disturbed sleep because, although the stiffness is relieved with sleep, when the patient transitions from rapid eye movement (REM) to stage 1 or 2 sleep they may lose the relief from the spasms, which may awaken them.
    • In some patients in the early stages, brief episodes of rather dramatic severe worsening that resolve spontaneously within hours or days may occur. Unfortunately, because of the subtle findings and apparent strong psychological components in the early stages, the patients are labeled as psychogenic, and effective treatment is often delayed.
  • Later stages
    • Later in the disease, proximal limb muscles also begin to be involved, particularly when the patient is stimulated, surprised, angered, upset, or frightened. This sort of stimulus may evoke painful severe spasms in the proximal arm and leg muscles that resolve slowly. The patient begins to move very slowly because rapid movement induces severe spasms. Even the distal extremities may become involved when moved rapidly.
    • Exaggerated lumbar lordosis is present combined with contraction of abdominal muscles.
    • Not surprisingly, depression has been noted as a comorbidity at this stage. The patient's quality of life is affected severely at this point, making it difficult or impossible to drive, work, or have a satisfying social life.
  • End stages
    • In the end stages of the disease, few muscles in the body are spared. Trismus is absent. However, facial and pharyngeal muscles may be affected markedly.
    • Joint deformities may occur. Skeletal fractures and muscle ruptures may occur during spasms.
    • Postsurgically, abdominal incisions are at risk of spontaneous rupture. Eating, simple movement, and other simple activities of daily living (ADLs) may be problematic.
• Stiff baby syndrome
  • The clinical presentation of stiff baby syndrome is somewhat different.
  • Babies and young children are less rigid between attacks. Involvement of the distal muscles is often more evident, particularly during paroxysms. Opisthotonic posturing is more prominent.
  • Startle or stress is a frequent and prominent precipitant of the attacks.
  • Its clinical characteristics are within a broader descriptive category known as hyperekplexia. Differentiation of a particular case as stiff baby syndrome sometimes is considered dependent upon the presence of anti-GAD antibodies. In addition, stiff baby syndrome may be more persistent or more frequently recurrent, although this is not invariable.
  • Diagnosis can also be more complex because other etiologies (eg, other neuromuscular disorders, seizures, withdrawal or intoxication from maternal drug abuse) need to be excluded.
• Associated diseases
  • Diabetes mellitus: Although different epitopes for the GAD antibodies in diabetes have been identified, stiff person syndrome and diabetes have demonstrated comorbidity. This comorbidity occurs in association with a finding of positive GAD antibodies. Early distal involvement and involvement of a single limb is more frequent in patients with diabetes mellitus. Stiff person syndrome has also been associated with diabetes mellitus and ICA 105 pancreatic autoantigen with and without the presence of anti-GAD antibodies.
  • Thyroiditis: An association with thyroiditis has been described. This may be due to comorbidity of multiple autoimmune entities or may be a more direct association. At least one group has suggested a link due to neuromuscular hyperactivity.
  • Breast cancer: A variant of stiff person syndrome occurs rarely in patients with breast cancer. The antibodies involved are to a synaptic protein, amphiphysin. Anti-GAD antibodies are absent.
  • Epilepsy: Anti-GAD antibodies have been described in patients with medication-resistant focal epilepsies. In one series, 4 of 19 patients with anti-GAD–positive stiff person syndrome were also found to have localization-related epilepsy.
  • Cerebellar ataxia: A number of case studies report the presence of cerebellar ataxia (with or without stiff person syndrome) associated with anti-GAD antibodies.
• A form of familial spastic cerebral palsy has been described with a missense mutation in the GAD-67 gene. This is a different isoform of glutamic decarboxylase; however, it demonstrates that the pathophysiology of stiff person syndrome is likely due to abnormalities in the function of glutamic acid decarboxylase.

Physical

In general, increased muscle tension, which may be more marked proximally than distally, is present. Frequently, lower extremities are most severely affected. Rarely, upper and lower extremities are affected. One limb may be affected, sparing other muscle groups. In most if not all patients, opposing muscle groups are noted to be tense, and tonic contraction with long relaxation times (myotonia) may be noted following percussion of the muscle. In most patients, the neurologic examination findings are otherwise normal. Anxiety is common.

Variations and stages are as follows:

• Early in the disease, patients may report stiffness of the back and sometimes the neck; very little objective findings are revealed. Patients may walk and sit with an exaggerated upright posture (classic "tin-soldier" appearance).
• Later in the disease, response to stimuli becomes marked. Startle may lead to very uncomfortable and prolonged spasms. The symptoms worsen significantly with stress or anxiety, and the worsening of symptoms causes anxiety, often causing a disturbing self-perpetuating cycle.
• Late stages and acute exacerbations of the disease are accompanied by crippling involvement of the extremities. Skeletal fractures and muscular rupture have been observed in late stages of disease
• One variation of the disease known as stiff limb syndrome is observed more frequently in patients with diabetes mellitus. In this variation, the axial involvement is less marked, and one or (rarely) more extremities are affected.
• In stiff baby syndrome, distal findings may be more pronounced than in adults. Smaller babies may have increased tonic extension of the leg at the hip. Younger patients frequently have a more pronounced response to startle than adults, and hyperekplexia must be considered in the differential.

Causes

See Pathophysiology.

Currently, 3 autoantibodies associated with stiff person syndrome are identified. The idiopathic form is most often associated with glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies. The paraneoplastic form is most often associated with amphiphysin antibodies. One case report identifies gephyrin antibodies associated with stiff person syndrome.²³

Differential Diagnoses

Congenital Myopathies
Metabolic Myopathies
Spinal Cord Trauma and Related Diseases

Other Problems to Be Considered

Painful tonic spasms of multiple sclerosis
Hereditary hyperekplexia
Idiopathic hyperekplexia
Cocaine-addicted infant
Startle syndrome
Hereditary startle disease
Stiff encephalomyelitis
Paraneoplastic hypertonic syndrome
Tetanus
Somatoform disorder
Myoclonic seizures
Axial torsion dystonia
Neuromyotonia (Isaac syndrome)
Schwartz-Jampel syndrome

Workup

Laboratory Studies

• Obtain the following laboratory tests and interpret the results as outlined in Pathophysiology:
  • Hemoglobin A1C: This is obtained because of association with diabetes mellitus.
  • Complete blood count: An association with pernicious anemia has been reported.
  • Comprehensive metabolic profile
  • Thyroid-stimulating hormone: Thyroiditis is sometimes associated.
• Special tests
  • Anti-GAD antibodies
  • Anti–pancreatic islet cell antibodies
  • Anti-amphiphysin antibodies

Imaging Studies

• MRI or CT scanning of the brain is only indicated if cortical or corticospinal tract signs are present on examination, for example, frontal lobe signs, increased reflexes, clonus, or abnormal plantar reflexes.
• Chest CT may also be indicated. Several individual case studies have reported thymoma in stiff person syndrome.

Other Tests

• Electromyography (EMG): Characteristic continuous motor unit activity with normal morphology is especially prominent in the paraspinal muscles. Myotonic potentials are absent. Activity resolves with sleep and abates with benzodiazepines (diazepam). Simultaneous continuous motor activity is noted in opposing muscles.
• Electroencephalography: EEG is indicated when episodic or paroxysmal stiffness occurs or signs of cortical abnormalities are present on examination. Rare cases of stiff person syndrome with associated refractory partial epilepsy have been reported.¹⁴

Procedures

Lumbar puncture and associated CSF studies should be obtained in patients with a presentation that is consistent with stiff person syndrome to rule out other etiologies. Oligoclonal bands can be observed in approximately two thirds of patients with antibody-positive stiff person syndrome.¹⁹ In addition, lumbar puncture can add needed information if the patient's presentation is unusual or complex.

Treatment

Medical Care

Initial medical treatment may involve either baclofen or a benzodiazepine.² Although no studies have been performed, tizanidine (Zanaflex) may be a less sedating alternative. Other medications that have been tried include antiepileptic medications, dantrolene, and barbiturates, but no clinical trials have been performed.

• Intrathecal baclofen therapy
  • Some patients may be candidates for intrathecal baclofen therapy for long-term treatment. Because symptoms may be variable, an externally programmable pump may be the best option.
  • Evaluation for intrathecal baclofen therapy by an experienced evaluator, the neurosurgeon involved, and the neurologist caring for the patient should coordinate the procedure so that the goals of therapy are clear. Deaths have been reported in stiff person syndrome from baclofen pump failure; share this fact with the team and the patient. Baclofen pump therapy should not be considered the sole therapy for the disease.
• Plasmapheresis (plasma exchange)
  • In some patients, plasmapheresis has been demonstrated to be of clinical utility in the treatment of stiff person syndrome.²⁷
  • No real prescribed dosage exists for plasmapheresis. The time of plasmapheresis, amount of supplementary albumin, and other parameters are controlled on a patient-by-patient basis by the pathologist running the blood bank involved in the procedure. A 5-treatment series administered every other day is considered a standard regimen for autoimmune diseases, but longer and shorter regimens have been used.
  • The efficacy is then evaluated and further treatment is decided on a patient-by-patient basis, usually as a collaborative effort with the insurance company physicians because it is such an expensive procedure.
  • Possible adverse effects include hypotension, bleeding, arrhythmias, and infection.
• Intravenous immunoglobulin
  • Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has also been used in the inpatient setting for the treatment of stiff person syndrome. The usual dose is 2 g/kg, administered over 2-5 days.
  • The length of the series is variable and dependent upon patient response. Treatment may extend past the inpatient period.²⁴ (Documentation of patient response is usually necessary for ongoing reimbursement by third party payers.)
  • Remember that IVIG is contraindicated in patients with IgA deficiency because of increased anaphylaxis in these patients.
• Physical therapy and occupational therapy
  • Physical therapy and occupational therapy are critical to the recovery of the patient under treatment. Medical treatment may make the patient feel weak, a feeling that may respond well to therapy.
  • The patient may also have a great deal of problems with voluntary movement and fine motor skills.

Consultations

Psychiatry may be consulted especially when symptoms of depression or anxiety are prominent. The psychiatrist should be made aware of the pathophysiology of stiff person syndrome and that the anxiety symptoms may be directly related to the presence of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies in the central nervous system. If possible, consult a psychiatrist that has shown interest in the disease.

Activity

Exercise or physical therapy may be helpful in preserving range of motion and in relieving symptoms related to prolonged muscle tension. In addition, muscular biofeedback may be helpful, although careful studies of physical therapy treatments have not been done. Keep in mind that activity or exercise may exacerbate spasms.

Medication

The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce symptoms, reduce morbidity, and prevent complications.

Benzodiazepines

Most frequently cited as useful in the treatment of stiff person syndrome. Activate the GABA-A receptor to enhance central inhibitory circuits. Benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium) or lorazepam (Ativan).

Diazepam (Valium)

Depresses all levels of CNS (eg, limbic and reticular formation), possibly by increasing activity of GABA.
Individualize dosage and increase cautiously to avoid adverse effects.

Dosing

Adult

Mild spasms: 5-10 mg PO q4-6h prn
Moderate spasms: 5-10 mg IV prn
Severe spasms: Mix 50-100 mg IV in 500 cc D5W and infuse at 40 mL/h

Pediatric

Mild spasms: 0.1-0.8 mg/kg/d PO divided tid/qid
Moderate or severe spasms: 0.1-0.3 mg/kg IV q4-8h

Interactions

Increased toxicity of benzodiazepines in CNS with coadministration of phenothiazines, barbiturates, alcohols, and MAOIs

Contraindications

Documented hypersensitivity; narrow-angle glaucoma

Precautions

Pregnancy

D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Caution with other CNS depressants, low albumin levels, or hepatic disease (may increase toxicity)

Lorazepam (Ativan)

Sedative hypnotic with short onset of effects and relatively long half-life.
By increasing the action of GABA, which is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, may depress all levels of CNS, including limbic and reticular formation.

Dosing

Adult

1-10 mg/d PO divided bid/tid

Pediatric

Not established

Interactions

Toxicity of benzodiazepines in CNS increases when used concurrently with alcohol, phenothiazines, barbiturates, and MAOIs

Contraindications

Documented hypersensitivity; preexisting CNS depression; hypotension; narrow-angle glaucoma

Precautions

Pregnancy

D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Caution in renal or hepatic impairment, myasthenia gravis, organic brain syndrome, or Parkinson disease

Immune modulators

These agents alter immune response to antigens. IVIG can be used.

Immune globulin intravenous (Gamimune, Gammagard, Sandoglobulin)

Neutralizes circulating antibodies through anti-idiotypic antibodies. Down-regulates proinflammatory cytokines, including INF-gamma; blocks Fc receptors on macrophages; suppresses inducer T and B cells and augments suppressor T cells; blocks complement cascade; promotes remyelination; may increase CSF IgG (10%).

Dosing

Adult

2 g/kg total dose administered at 0.4 g/kg IV qd for 5 d or 1 g/kg for 2 d

Pediatric

Administer as in adults

Interactions

Increases toxicity of live virus vaccine (MMR); do not administer within 3 mo of vaccine

Contraindications

Documented hypersensitivity; IgA deficiency; anti-IgE/IgG antibodies

Precautions

Pregnancy

C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Check serum IgA before IVIG (use an IgA-depleted product, eg, Gammagard S/D); infusions may increase serum viscosity and thromboembolic events; infusions may increase risk of migraine attacks, aseptic meningitis (10%), urticaria, pruritus, or petechiae (2-30 d postinfusion); increases risk of renal tubular necrosis in elderly individuals and in those with diabetes, volume depletion, and preexisting kidney disease; laboratory result changes associated with infusions include elevated antiviral or antibacterial antibody titers for 1 mo, 6-fold increase in ESR for 2-3 wk, and apparent hyponatremia

Skeletal muscle relaxants

These agents increase activity of central inhibitory systems. Theoretically less sedating in relationship to GABA-A agonists such as benzodiazepines. Baclofen can be used.

Baclofen (Lioresal)

May induce hyperpolarization of afferent terminals and inhibit both monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes at the spinal level.

Dosing

Adult

5 mg PO tid for 3 d; 10 mg tid for 3 d; 15 mg tid for 3 d; 20 mg tid for 3 d; thereafter, additional increases may be necessary; not to exceed 80 mg/d PO divided qid

Pediatric

Not established

Interactions

Opiate analgesics, benzodiazepines, alcohol, TCAs, guanabenz, MAOIs, clindamycin, and hypertensive agents may increase baclofen effects

Contraindications

Documented hypersensitivity

Precautions

Pregnancy

C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Caution in patients with history of autonomic dysreflexia and when spasticity is used to obtain increased function; autonomic dysreflexia can result from withdrawal of this medication

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

• Ongoing physical therapy and occupational therapy
  • Physical and occupational therapists can help with long-term muscle control and also serve as an adjunct to clinical observation for worsening signs and symptoms. They can also use passive muscle relaxation techniques that can help to relieve symptoms of long-term muscle spasm and to avoid loss of range of motion.
  • Be sure to encourage therapists to send reports or call staff about changes.
• Medications
  • Symptomatic medications, particularly benzodiazepines, may need to be changed or rotated often to avoid receptor down-regulation.
  • Because the disease is rare, do not overlook novel medications that have not been reported but that have potential utility.
• Intravenous immunoglobulin
  • Outpatient IVIG can be used in patients with responsive symptoms as ongoing therapy.²⁴
  • Appropriate monitoring of vital signs should be available, and the procedure should be performed in an approved chemotherapy unit.
  • As in the inpatient setting, response should be documented carefully.

Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

• Baclofen
  • Baclofen is a specific GABA-B receptor agonist. The dramatic response of many patients with centrally mediated spasticity to this medication, including those with stiff person syndrome, implies the importance of this underresearched receptor in the CNS.
  • The oral dosage is 10-30 mg every 8 hours, while the intrathecal dosage is in the range of micrograms per day.
  • The major adverse effect with oral dosage is somnolence. The major adverse effect with intrathecal dosage is hypotonicity. Other, more severe complications related to baclofen pump failure have been reported.
• Benzodiazepines
  • Diazepam and other benzodiazepines are also useful in the treatment of stiff man syndrome. In milder cases, small dosages can be used (2 mg q8h), but resistant severe cases can require very large doses (ie, 15-20 mg q8h; do not administer initially to benzodiazepine-naïve patients).
  • Benzodiazepines have the added benefit of relieving the inevitable anxiety associated with the disease.
• Pain management
  • Muscle pain is often a problem with patients and can cause worsening of the spasms and a cycle of spasms, pain, more spasms, and more pain.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications can be used for less severe cases.
  • Long-term therapy with amitriptyline or similar tricyclics may be helpful. Time-release opiates may also be of benefit.
• Novel medications
  • Novel medications that may be of use because of their utility in other centrally mediated causes of spasticity include tizanidine (Zanaflex) and gabapentin (Neurontin).
  • Hypothetically, botulinum toxin type A (BOTOX®) may also be helpful in selected cases. However, the number and size of the muscles involved would possibly limit its usefulness. Complications of BOTOX® therapy are more frequent when multiple muscles are injected with larger amounts of toxin.
  • Although these medications have not been reported specifically in stiff person syndrome, they have been used with success in other cases of spasticity.

Transfer

• Transfer to a tertiary or university medical center is often a difficult decision for a clinician. The clinician may feel that it reflects on him or her personally as a physician. However, in reality, even in some major metropolitan areas, hospitals have found offering the full range of facilities and expertise to be impossible. These resources extend beyond those of the individual clinician so that even though the treatment of the patient may be within the capability of the physician, it is not within the capability of the facility. Therefore, when patients approach the point at which they strain the capability of the facility, transfer should be initiated.
• Questions to be answered are as follows:
  • Does the treating facility have regular availability of plasmapheresis? Is intravenous immunoglobin therapy available on a regular basis at the treating facility?
  • Does the treating facility have rehabilitation-grade physical therapy and occupational therapy?
  • Does the treating facility have excellent inpatient psychiatric consultation for patients with chronic diseases? Do consulting psychiatrists have knowledge and interest in patients with chronic diseases, or are they mostly consulted for chemical restraint or behavior problems?
  • Does the treating facility have an intensive care unit that is used for neurologic acute care, or does staff of the intensive care unit perform primarily cardiac, respiratory, and end-of-life care?
  • Does the treating facility have an associated rehabilitation center capable of handling unusual diseases and physiatrists interested in unusual diseases?
• Most patients with the early stages of stiff person syndrome do not require specialized care and do not require transfer by an experienced clinician. They can be treated successfully in an outpatient setting. However, attention to the above issues can alert a concerned physician to the need for transfer and help the physician justify the transfer to the patient, family, and insurance providers.

Complications

• Early stages
  • The earliest and most common complications of the disease are anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, the nature of the disease and the reaction of physicians and family to the problems may act in concert to produce this comorbidity.
  • The function of GAD is to convert glutamate to GABA. Although this is not the only source of GABA for the CNS, it is a significant source; depending on the situation, GABA can be depleted rapidly. GABA serves as a natural antianxiety compound. The most potent antianxiety medications are based on augmentation of the GABA-A receptor. Because a significant portion of patients with stiff person syndrome have antibodies to GAD, not surprisingly patients also have anxiety. Tragically, anxiety worsens the spasms.
  • In the early stages, signs of the disease are often subtle to physicians and other health care workers. The patient feels uncomfortable and is aware of the stiffness, but his or her daily life is not disrupted significantly. Unfortunately, the failure of physicians and family to respond to the problem may result in increased anxiety and lead to dysphoria on the part of the patient. Ironically, the anxiety and dysphoria may become more disruptive to the patient's quality of life than the disease, and the patient may be diagnosed with a somatization disorder.
• Late stages
  • Difficulty swallowing: Patients may have spasm of the pharyngeal muscles, making swallowing difficult and necessitating alternative methods of feeding.
  • Skeletal fractures: Severe paroxysms of spasms may result in skeletal fractures, particularly of the vertebral elements. They also have been reported in long bones.
  • Muscle rupture: Muscle rupture has been reported in severe cases during spasms.

Prognosis

• Prognosis is variable. Many patients have an indolent course that is primarily asymptomatic and is punctuated by occasional episodes of stiffness. Other patients may have a much more aggressive course, rapidly progressing to the late stages of disease.
• Other forms of the disease have been described that are accompanied by cerebellar findings, encephalopathy, and other CNS abnormalities, but whether they are separate diseases or different manifestations of the same disease is unclear.
• Prognosis for stiff baby syndrome is perhaps better. It is generally believed to be self-limiting and resolves with maturation of the CNS. Unfortunately, long-term follow-up studies are lacking.

Patient Education

• For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Infections Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Tetanus.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

• The major medicolegal pitfalls involving stiff person syndrome are misdiagnosis and delay in diagnosis, which can result in inappropriate medication adverse effects, prolonged morbidity, or both.²⁴
• However, remember that stiff person syndrome is a rare condition and that patients commonly are not diagnosed with this syndrome until they have been evaluated by one or more neuromuscular specialists.
• Because of the nature of the disease, the risk for falling (resulting in possible injury) in patients with stiff person syndrome is increased compared to healthy individuals. The proper precautions at home (especially while ambulatory) should be taken. Consultation with a physical medicine specialist may be appropriate.
• The condition is most commonly misdiagnosed as conversion disorder, particularly because stiff person syndrome is often accompanied by increasing anxiety. This anxiety state may be physiologic and due to disruption of the mechanism for synthesis of GABA from glutamate, or it may be due to prolonged inadequate therapy.
• Careful assessment by a physician or physical therapist is necessary to determine the patient's level of motor skills (eg, driving, activities of daily living [ADLs], occupational) to ensure that he is not a danger to himself or others.
• Because presentation frequently does not follow a classic pattern or because it may be associated with other disorders, a high degree of alertness for the unusual patient reporting stiffness increases the likelihood of early diagnosis.²⁴
• Baclofen pump failure has been described. Although rare, failure to deliver medication can result in catastrophic exacerbation of disease. Another rare complication is sudden delivery of high doses of baclofen intrathecally resulting in respiratory failure. Either complication can lead to significant morbidity or death.

Special Concerns

• Many of the medications for treatment are relatively contraindicated during pregnancy, which may complicate pregnancy significantly. As in other autoimmune diseases, pregnancy can either exacerbate or temporarily relieve symptoms.
• Elderly patients may be at increased risk for falls because of concurrent debility from other causes. They may also demonstrate increased CNS sensitivity to benzodiazepines.
• Other useful information can be found on the following site: NINDS, Stiff-Person Syndrome Information Page
• Two relevant studies conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have recently concluded. A research study on the monoclonal antibody Rituximab, a drug approved to treat lymphomas, targets certain white blood cells that produce antibodies. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether rituximab can also be effective in patients with stiff person syndrome who have high anti-GAD antibodies. The second study was an observational study but also included evaluation and treatment at the NIH. For more information, see Clinical Trial - Rituximab to Treat Stiff Person Syndrome and Clinical Trial - Cause, Development, and Progression of Stiff Person Syndrome.

References

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Keywords

stiff person syndrome, SPS, stiff man syndrome, SMS, stiff baby syndrome, SBS, hyperekplexia, Moersch-Woltmann syndrome, stiff woman syndrome, stiff limb syndrome, spasticity, GABA, muscle rigidity, axial muscle rigidity, proximal limb muscle rigidity, muscle stiffness, muscle spasm, intermittent rigidity, autoimmune disease, glutamic acid decarboxylase, GAD, GAD antibodies, glycine, spinal motor neurons, motor pathway inhibitor, GABA, motor neurons, motor neuron dysfunction, glutamate, baclofen pump failure, upright posture, posture discomfort, spasm, intermittent spasm, startle syndrome, lumbar lordosis, spastic, stiff encephalomyelitis, paraneoplastic hypertonic syndrome, paraneoplastic syndrome, PNS, myoclonic seizure, seizure

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Nancy Theresa Rodgers-Neame, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida; Director, Florida Comprehensive Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders Program
Nancy Theresa Rodgers-Neame, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American Epilepsy Society, American Medical Women's Association, Society for Neuroscience, and Southern Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Paul E Barkhaus, MD, Professor, Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin; Director of Neuromuscular Diseases, Milwaukee Veterans Administration Medical Center
Paul E Barkhaus, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and American Neurological Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
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Glenn Lopate, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine; Chief of Neurology, St Louis ConnectCare, Consulting Staff, Barnes Jewish Hospital
Glenn Lopate, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Selim R Benbadis, MD, Professor, Director of Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of South Florida School of Medicine, Tampa General Hospital
Selim R Benbadis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American Epilepsy Society, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Nicholas Y Lorenzo, MD, Chief Editor, eMedicine Neurology; Consulting Staff, Neurology Specialists and Consultants
Nicholas Y Lorenzo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Neurology
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