Use of plasmapheresis for the management of the syndrome of the rigid person

Uso de plasmaféresis para el manejo del síndrome de la persona rígida

Introduction: Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is an infrequent pathology, characterized by the involuntary activation of the motor unit, causing fluctuating rigidity of the axial muscles, painful muscle spasms and continuous motor activity in electromyography. In most patients, high levels of anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies are found. Case presentation: Female patient of 60 years of age, with persistence of muscular spasmodic symptoms despite management with GABA agonist drugs and immuno modulators, for which the use of plasmapheresis as the third line of treatment was considered. Conclusions: The experience in the use of the technique is favorable, with a decrease in muscle spasms greater than 50% after 7 sessions. Although plasmapheresis produced symptomatic relief, new clinical trials and case reports are necessary to determine its clinical benefit and thus protocolize its application.

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