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Why It Is Not Always Anxiety: A Tough Diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome
Joint Authors
O’Brien, Keith
Cervantes, Carmen Elena
Lee Lau, Hsien
Binazir, Tina Ataian
Cross, Jonathan S.
Source
Case Reports in Neurological Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2017, Issue 2017 (31 Dec. 2017), pp.1-3, 3 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2017-08-14
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
3
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Anxiety disorder is a commonly used diagnosis that may mask underlying conditions.
Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare neuroimmunological disorder characterized by progressive rigidity and painful muscle spasms affecting axial and lower extremity musculature.
These episodes can be triggered by sudden movement, noise, or emotional stress, which may present as a psychiatric condition.
We report the case of a 30-year-old female who presented with recurrent panic attacks with multiple prior hospital admissions for anxiety, rigidity, and difficulty in walking.
Previous electroencephalogram (EEG) and brain and cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were unremarkable.
She was empirically treated with diazepam and beta-blockers for SPS, which was confirmed by positive glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies.
The patient’s symptoms became refractory to benzodiazepines and required steroids with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).
Her rigidity subsequently responded to plasmapheresis.
In SPS, antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) most commonly target the GAD antigen on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons.
The goal of treatment is to ameliorate symptoms and improve quality of life.
Our case of SPS was masked as generalized anxiety disorder for at least six years since onset of symptoms.
The criteria for both diagnoses may overlap as seen in this patient.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Cervantes, Carmen Elena& Lee Lau, Hsien& Binazir, Tina Ataian& O’Brien, Keith& Cross, Jonathan S.. 2017. Why It Is Not Always Anxiety: A Tough Diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome. Case Reports in Neurological Medicine،Vol. 2017, no. 2017, pp.1-3.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1147202
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Cervantes, Carmen Elena…[et al.]. Why It Is Not Always Anxiety: A Tough Diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome. Case Reports in Neurological Medicine No. 2017 (2017), pp.1-3.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1147202
American Medical Association (AMA)
Cervantes, Carmen Elena& Lee Lau, Hsien& Binazir, Tina Ataian& O’Brien, Keith& Cross, Jonathan S.. Why It Is Not Always Anxiety: A Tough Diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome. Case Reports in Neurological Medicine. 2017. Vol. 2017, no. 2017, pp.1-3.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1147202
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1147202