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The Clinical Spectrum of Anti-GAD Antibody-Positive Patients with Stiff-Person Syndrome Neurol 55:1531-1535, Dalakas,M.C.,et al, 2000 See this aricle in Pubmed Article Abstract To evaluate the clinical spectrum of anti-GAD-positive patients with stiff-person syndrome (SPS) and provide reproducible means of assessing stiffness. Average age at symptom onset was 41.2 years. Time to diagnosis was delayed from 1 to 18 years (mean 6.2). Stiffness with superimposed episodic spasms and co-contractures of the abdominal and thoracic paraspinal muscles were characteristic. All had stiff gait and palpable stiffness in the paraspinal muscles. Stiffness was asymmetric or pr ominent in one leg in 15 patients (stiff-leg syndrome) and involved facial muscles in 13. In one patient spasms for days (status spasticus). Twelve patients needed a cane and seven a walker due to truncal stiffness and frequent falls (average three to f our per month). Distribution of stiffness and degree of heightened sensitivity were two reproducible indices of stiffness and spasms. Autoimmune diseases or autoantibodies were noted in 80% and an association of with DR(1 0301 allele in 70%. SPS is 1) frequently misdiagnosed due to multifaceted presentations and asymmetric signs, 2) disabling if untreated, and 3) associated with other autoimmune conditions.

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(click to filter results - removes previous filter) autoantibodies autoimmune disease cane disability,neurological falling gait disorder gait,spastic glutamic acid decarboxylase,antibody misdiagnosis muscle stiffness paraspinal muscle review article stiff legs stiff man syndrome tone,muscle,increased walking frame

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