Table 1.
Predominant distribution of stiffness and other neurological signs in 57 patients with Stiff Person Syndrome
| Symptoms | n (%) |
|---|---|
| Increased tone in: | |
| Face | 16 (28) |
| Cervical paraspinal and shoulder girdle muscles | 11 (19) |
| Thoracic paraspinal and abdominal wall muscles | 14 (24) |
| Lumbosacral paraspinal muscles | 16 (28) |
| Proximal leg muscles | 17 (30) |
| Combined lumbosacral paraspinal and proximal leg muscles | 33 (58) |
| Axial (diffuse paraspinal and proximal limb muscles) | 39 (68) |
| Asymmetry with one limb predominant (stiff-limb) | 6 (10) |
| Distal limb stiffness | 4 (7) |
| Spasms | 50 (88) |
| Other associated symptoms: | |
| Ocular symptoms | 13 (23) |
| Cerebellar symptoms and signs | 7 (12) |
| Functional impairment resulting in the following: | |
| Stiff or impaired gait | 54 (94) |
| Hyperlordosis | 48 (84) |
| Shortness of breath | 11 (19) |
| Need for cane | 26 (45) |
| Need for walker | 14 (24) |
| Need for wheelchair | 9 (15) |
| Inability to work | 48 (84) |
| Startle response | 55 (96) |
| Anxiety and task-specific phobias | 52 (91) |
| Depressed mood | 3 (5) |