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Case Report
Stiff-person syndrome presenting as eating disorder: A case report
Article first published online: 22 FEB 2010
DOI: 10.1002/eat.20794
Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Additional Information
How to Cite
Cuturic, M., Harden, L. M., Kannaday, M. H., Campbell, N. N. and Harding, R. K. (2011), Stiff-person syndrome presenting as eating disorder: A case report. Int. J. Eat. Disord., 44: 284–286. doi: 10.1002/eat.20794
Publication History
- Issue published online: 22 FEB 2010
- Article first published online: 22 FEB 2010
- Manuscript Accepted: 5 NOV 2009
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Stiff-Person syndrome;
- anorexia;
- eating disorders;
- depression;
- anxiety
Abstract
Objective:
To report a case of a 35-year-old female initially treated for anorexia nervosa who was found to have Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS).
Method:
Case report.
Results:
The patient reported panic attacks at meal times that were found to consist of tetanic contractions of the axial musculature. Swallowing initiated reflexive painful muscle spasms that consequently resulted in cibophobia and significant weight loss. Her serum tested positive for anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies, and she subsequently improved with appropriate treatment for SPS.
Discussion:
SPS has not been previously reported in the context of eating disorders, although it has been linked to other psychiatric disorders. Often the psychiatrist may be the first physician to diagnose SPS. We present this case to alert practitioners to the potential co-morbidity and symptom overlap between SPS and eating disorders, to aid in early recognition and appropriate treatment of this rare illness. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2011; 44:284–286)